Prime Minister Christie revealed this to the House yesterday, while he was answering a query from Montagu MP Brent Symonette in the morning session’s question and answer period. Mr Christie pointed out that the figure reflected land acquired by successive governments. He said some of the transactions, such as the one involving property used to develop the Elizabeth Estates subdivision, dated as far back as the Pindling administration. “Where land was acquired from the Bahamians in significant dimensions and proportions and not paid for, the last I checked, the figure was around $60 million,” revealed Mr Christie, who is also the Farm Road MP.
“And so there is a tremendous kind of problem we have associated with the acquisition of land. “A lot of it had to do with the new road building programme and a lot of Bahamians have had problems as they waited on payment for this land,” he added.
The Prime Minister said his administration was doing all it could to pay the debt but was forced to proceed with special caution in cases where former landowners were challenging the transactions in the court.
He admitted that issue was one over which he criticized the Ingraham administration Government when the governing party was in opposition, adding: “We have inherited that one and we are trying to deal with it as best we can.”
By RAYMOND KONGWA, Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter
