The sale of land at Lancaster to Chefette had nothing to do with the National Housing Corporation (NHC).
Speaking to The Barbados Advocate yesterday, Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development Denis Kellman made it clear that while Government previously owned the land where the fast food restaurant chain is set to erect its newest branch, it was not the one that had been holding the title deed during the latest transaction.
“That land was commercial land selling at $35 a square foot, not at $5 or $18 a square foot as some people have been saying, and services were put into the land and NHC paid C.O.Williams Construction with that land, instead of money so that it did not affect its cash flow. The sale of the land to Chefette had nothing to do with NHC. It was a sale by C.O. Williams to Chefette,” he revealed.
Defending against charges that the land was to be used only for housing, Kellman insisted that the area had always been designated for both housing and commercial activity, with approximately 11 spots developed for the latter purpose.
The minister disclosed his expectations that the stretch from Lancaster to Sunset Crest would soon become a major commercial area on the island.
“As I have said in the budget and elsewhere, the Lancaster area would be one of the most significant commercial areas in Barbados, because where previously the Sunset Crest area was narrowed to a particular location. If this is done correctly, we would be able to expand the Sunset Crest and the Holetown and that area would not now be a small commercial area but would run from the sea up to the Lancaster development,” he stated.
In addition, the minister outlined that other “significant developments from other private sector players” were expected to take place opposite the Royal Westmoreland and Sugar Hill shortly.
Kellman therefore said he would not be bogged down with the criticisms coming from various parts.
“My job is to understand that I maximise the returns for NHC. We found a large deficit when we came and I have to find commercial land and commercial lots…that NHC can sell because of location to maximise returns so that we can have resources so that we can continue with the program to deal with the needs of poor people,” he added.