NDP backs Chatham Bay sale, says deal protects environment and reduces debt
By Admin. Updated 2:09 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The New Democratic Party (NDP) has publicly endorsed the Government’s sale of approximately 100 acres of land at Chatham Bay, Union Island, arguing that the transaction will protect one of the country’s most environmentally sensitive areas while helping to reduce the nation’s debt burden.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, the party said the land was sold for approximately EC$54 million under an agreement that requires the property to be preserved for conservation purposes through legally binding covenants.
According to the NDP, the agreement is intended to safeguard the area’s biodiversity, including habitat linked to the endangered Union Island gecko, a species found only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The party noted that Chatham Bay lies close to several important forest reserves, including Water Rock Reserve, Large Forest Reserve, Colin Campbell Reserve and Jack O’Dan Reserve, describing the area as one of significant ecological value.
The statement comes two days after Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday confirmed in Parliament that the Government had received EC$52.7 million from the sale of land at Chatham Bay during the first four months of the 2026 fiscal year, marking the first official confirmation that the property had been sold.
The Prime Minister told Parliament that the proceeds contributed to higher capital revenue and helped improve the country’s overall fiscal position during the reporting period.
In Saturday’s statement, the NDP said it understands that the sale forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to reduce the country’s debt, which it said had reached approximately 113 per cent of gross domestic product under the previous Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration.
The party argued that reducing the debt burden would strengthen the Government’s ability to invest in healthcare, national development and public-sector reform.
The NDP also said the proceeds from the transaction are expected to support the capitalisation of the National Development Bank, the establishment of the Ministry of Fisheries, Land and Sea Conservation and Climate Resilience, as well as debt-reduction measures and initiatives aimed at improving Government efficiency.
The party further highlighted what it described as an important public safeguard within the agreement, stating that the Government retains the option to repurchase the land within two years at the same price for which it was sold.
Prime Minister Friday, quoted in the release, described the transaction as an example of responsible governance.
“This transaction reflects responsible Government: protecting our natural heritage, reducing debt, and investing in the future of our people. The public interest is protected through conservation covenants,” he said.
The NDP also pointed to the property’s history, noting that the land had previously been recovered by the State after a private investor failed to carry out a proposed tourism development.
According to the party, the Government reacquired the land for compensation valued at less than EC$700,000, making the current sale a substantial financial gain for the country while preserving the site’s environmental value.
The Chatham Bay transaction has attracted considerable public attention since the Prime Minister’s parliamentary disclosure, with questions being raised about the identity of the purchaser, the full terms of the agreement, and the future use of the land.
While the NDP’s statement provides additional information about the reported conservation covenants, the proposed purchaser and the complete sale agreement have not yet been made public.
The party concluded by reaffirming its support for what it described as the Government’s commitment to transparency, responsible land management and the protection of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ natural heritage.
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