The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

THE FNM candidate for MICAL called on the PLP to explain why non-residents of Mayaguana were granted Crown land on the island over locals during the former administration.

During the debate on the amendments to the Mayaguana Development Bill, Blue Hills MP Sidney Collie listed non-Mayaguanians, who he said were granted Crown land over residents who have lived on the island most of their lives.

Accusing the Christie administration of the most "scandalous and corrupt practice when granting Crown land in Mayaguana," Mr Collie challenged PLP leader Perry Christie and MICAL MP Alfred Gray to explain why people who live in Mayaguana were denied Crown land, while non Mayaguanians, "strangers," were granted land.

He said Linden Hepburn, Herbert Curtis, Charise Hepburn, Pascal Hepburn, Ramadan McKenzie, all non Mayaguanians, were granted over two acres of land by the PLP government in September 2006. Meanwhile, Mr Collie said residents, such as Wilton Williamson, Glen Moss, Michael Edwards and Allan Brown, had their land applications denied.

During his contribution on the amended and restated Heads of Agreement between the government and Mayaguana Island Developers Limited Mr Collie said the agreement will allow "new and boundless opportunities will emerge for Mayaguanians."

Mr Collie urged all residents to take advantage of the opportunities that will become available in the near future in particular in small business enterprises, arts and crafts, straw craft, bone fishing lodges, nature trails and how to utilise the natural wonders of the island.

Mr Collie noted that the agreement has provisions that have made sufficient "buffer zones" to allow the township of Abraham's Bay, Pirates Well and Betsy Bay to expand in anticipation of their growth.