The ULP regime has done such a bad job of running the economy that our nation is out of money and heavily indebted. To bridge the gap, they are selling-off our nation’s lands to pay for their mistakes. When the lands have gone, they will sell our buildings and then the shirt on our backs. It’s a downward spiral that must be halted now.

The selling-off of crown lands seems to be being done in secret way, with Vincentians having no say on whether it should be done or not. It is clearly insane to sell-off large bits of our country to build an underwater airport at Argyle when the price of oil is US$ 200 and rising. When land is sold to foreign companies, we cease to have control of it. If it is then resold, it may be difficult to stop the land being used for ‘unwanted’ activities.

Bequia residents have real concerns about large parts of Bequia disappearing to foreign buyers. Vincentians are being out-priced in their own country. Large parts of SVG could be off limits to Vincentians or we could have to pay massive charges just to go on or use our own country’s lands. Why is it happening …because the people are letting it happen, plain and simple.

In SVG’s struggle for independence, thousands of Vincentians gave their lives fighting for our basic rights and freedoms and we'd better start acting like we appreciate their efforts and sacrifices. Is this how we want to pay back our national hero Chatoyer – just give the country to modern-style colonialist? If we only turn the other cheek and continue to get kicked around, then it may become too late.

In view of climate change and the spiralling high prices for food in SVG, it is a dangerous act for Ralph Gonsalves to be selling-off crown lands to non Vincentians. The equation is quite apparent: when Ralph Gonsalves sells agricultural crown lands the supply of local food reduces, rural area poverty increases and households are unable to buy high-priced imported foods. This could lead to massive social unrest.

The socially conscious SVG Green Party is calling for an immediate ban on the sale of crown lands to non Vincentians and a land distribution reform system be put in place to avoid SVG being driven further into despair.

Future generations of Vincentians will be born as foreigners in their own country. Public land once sold is land lost to us forever. No government 'owns' public lands - they hold it in trust for the people. When Governments sell-off crown lands, they are also selling our children's future.

An SVG Green Party government will end the sale of crown lands. Too much of SVG’s land has been sold to foreigners. This is counterproductive and not a policy on which to sustain SVG’s economy. The lands of SVG should be for Vincentians only. When our children grow up they will want to be able to build their own house on their own land. This will only be possible after a change to a Green government.

We don’t want to become second class citizens in our own country.