There is nothing underhand in the sale of abandoned plantation yards by the Barbados Agricultural Management Co. Ltd (BAMC), says one of its directors, Dr Leroy McClean.
He said the BAMC was following the process for these sales, as stipulated by law.
The former senator was responding to concerns about four sugar plantation factory yards with adjacent lands, involving scores of acres, being sold as part of BAMC’s divestment programme. The fear was that these properties would be sold below their market value.
According to McClean, as long as land is vested in a Government-owned corporation, the board advertises the asset for sale, and when they receive offers they recommend which one they favour to the minister. The minister takes that recommendation to Cabinet for the final say on the matter.
“We are using the measures that are in place . . . . All I am saying . . . is that the process is being followed,” said McClean on Getting Down To BrassTacks on Friday, as he rejected suggestions from moderator David Ellis that the divesting of state lands into private hands in this way created an area for exploitation.
Ellis argued that divesting BAMC’s lands with no need to go to Parliament for oversight was a flawed system.
McClean conceded that depending on the quantum of the transaction, it could create some level of public discomfort. He said he had no problem agreeing that there was a need for some change in the process.
Outgoing St George North representative Gline Clarke added his voice to the debate and said the Barbados Labour Party had agreed there must be greater accountability in divesting Government property.
“The whole Acquisition Act needs to be amended to give people the right to know,” said Clarke, pointing out it was entirely possible that a minister through the board of the particular state corporation could sell a property and the public would not know.
“People must know at any time if you’re selling, when you’re selling and who you’re selling to. Because you can very well sell these lands to people living . . . anywhere,” he said.
Clarke said that there was a need not only to advertise such sales in the newspaper and on radio, but to hold town hall meetings in the communities where these properties are located.
He said the BLP had acknowledged that there was a need for change in the parliamentary system so that committees would be more accountable and the public would be more involved. (SP)
