Controversy Surrounds Sale of Tapion Lands

Housing Minister Richard Frederick says he is “flabbergasted” with the accusations being levelled by opposition forces on the issue pertaining to the sale of lands in the vicinity of the Tapion area.

Speaking to reporters, Monday, he explained that the lands in question were originally part of one parcel of  real estate that had been sub-divided into two parts. Ultimately, the parcel of land in focus, referred to as Parcel 11 had been identified as two separate lots – Lot 50 and Lot 51.

Brushing aside the accusatory remarks as mere ‘absurdity’, he said, the inferences being drawn up by Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet does not give an accurate assessment of the land deal. He reported that an extended arm of the United Workers Party (UWP) – UnitedPac have been circulating videos that “the land at Tapion was sold at a given price”.

Frederick said, Chastanet had posted online that Parcel 11, which was valued at an estimated price of $6.5 million was the land allegedly sold.

“What perked my interest is that there were two renowned quantity surveyors in question – one who did the valuation in 2013 and one who did the current evaluation,” he said.

The minister stated that basically, “two professionals could not have had such vast difference in value for the same piece of vacant property, known as Parcel 11; one (valued it at) $6.5 million and the other $3.5 million”.

Frederick says, subsequently, the authorities conducted investigations at the Land Registry department, which revealed that “Parcel 11 of the valuation …is no longer in existence”.

Furthermore, he explained, Parcel 11 was a combination of Parcel 50 and 51 which currently exists.

Frederick added, “In 2014 …a sub-division was done and this made Parcel 11 no longer existent., and it grew into two Parcels 50 and 51”.

According to the housing minister, “What Allen Chastanet did, he took the valuation for the combined parcels when they were together known as Parcel 11 and he purported this to have been the valuation of Parcel 50, which was essentially a sub-sect of Parcel 11.”

Fredrick said, it has been nine years since Parcel 11 “has not been in existence” and that “Parcel 11 was sub-divided into two parcels, 50 and 51…50 was sold and 51 is still vested in the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and it stays on the ground”.

He added, “So all the videos, all the allegations, the scandal and everything else was premised on a lie.”

Having substantiated evidence of the land deal in focus, the minister called upon the Opposition Leader “to issue an apology to the people of this country, whom he quite glaringly attempted to deceive.”

Frederick also informed, he has requested the Speaker of the House to make his (Chastanet’s) document a “document of the House”, and if he fails to comply “I will ask that it be referred to the Privileges Committee”.

The Housing Minister further explained that the lands sold – Parcel 50, is located about a mile away from the proposed ‘developmental lands’ that the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports (SLASPA) has a vested interest in acquiring.

“It is (located) almost a mile away from the port of Castries …and you literally have to drive into Tapion and it is opposite, what we call the old Wellness Centre (Mad House) converging on the sea , by a cliff,” said Frederick.

He said the Parcel 50 land sold will in no way hinder or intrude on the developmental works, which SLASPA may likely undertake in the future.

The lands were sold at a cost of approximately $2.7 million, which according to the minister “makes it in excess of $25 per square foot.”