Eight public officers visited Anegada this month to finalise plans for the distribution of lands on the island, according to government. Team leader Ronald Smith-Berkeley — the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change — said the officers had a “productive and progressive meeting” with members of the Anegada Lands Committee.
“We are hopeful that at the end of this calendar year, working in collaboration with Anegada residents, that they are able to get deeds to their lands,” he said, adding, “The visit to Anegada and the interactions with residents highlighted the urgency of the needs of local Anegadians who wish to receive their deeds, and we are committed to making that happen.”
The delegation also joined four committee members in visiting areas of concern on Anegada and received an assessment of road infrastructure, water and electricity in the subdivisions, according to government.
Ministry Assistant Secretary Heather Skelton acknowledged that the subject of land ownership is a longstanding issue on the island, and she said she was pleased to see collaborative progress on land titles and on public infrastructure to support the subdivisions.
“Anegada is one of our priority areas for the remainder of the calendar year,” Ms. Skelton said. “In 2024, we are hoping to equally focus on road infrastructure for the other government subdivisions in Spooners and Nibbs Estates and the sister island of Virgin Gorda to make lands more accessible to Virgin Islanders.”