Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Honourable Ronnie Skelton, has voiced several significant concerns regarding the Crown Lands Management Bill 2024, currently under consideration in the House of Assembly.
Skelton’s objections were made during the debate stage of the legislation, which underwent its second reading on Tuesday.
One of Skelton’s primary criticisms is the bill’s lack of special provisions for lands on Salt Island, Anegada, Nottingham Estate, and North Sound, Virgin Gorda. He described this omission as a critical oversight that must be addressed to ensure fair and equitable management of these specific areas.
Furthermore, Skelton, who serves as an At-Large Representative, expressed disapproval of the new bill’s structure, which removes direct decision-making power from House of Assembly members regarding crown land.
Under the proposed legislation, the minister responsible will recommend individuals to sit on a new statutory board, whose members must then be approved by the Cabinet. Skelton argued that excluding House members from this process represents a regression in transparent and democratic governance.
Additionally, Skelton raised concerns about the bill’s intent to override existing ordinances and documents that have been in place for decades. He strongly objected to this aspect of the bill, emphasizing that such established laws and guidelines should not be superseded without thorough consideration and justification.
The debate on the Crown Lands Management Bill 2024 is scheduled to continue in the House of Assembly on Thursday, where further deliberations and potential amendments will be discussed.