First Set of Saint Lucians Receive Title Deeds Under PROUD

Contact: John Emmanuel

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - The first set of St. Lucians have begun to reap benefits under the first phase of the one and a half-year old Programme for the Regularisation of Unplanned Development (PROUD). On Thursday, November 29, 2001 at a ceremony in the Prime Minister’s Lounge, six residents who previously squatted on government lands, formally became property owners when they affixed their signatures to new title deeds.

The PROUD initiative, borne out of the need to address the proliferation of squatter settlements on the island and its negative impacts on the social and economic well-being of the nation, in its first year targeted selected deprived areas stretching from Bexon in the north to Piaye in the south west region of the island. The programme seeks to improve the quality of life of households in the targeted areas through the provision of all infrastructure, like roads, electricity and water, together with occupancy regularization.

Planning, Housing and Development Minister Honourable Dr. Walter Francois said at the ceremony,  “The scope of activities under this project involves the implementation of planned land developments, rationalization of squatter areas, relocation of residents where congestion is a major issue and establishing mechanisms for land transfer.”

The project is partially funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of St. Lucia. Under the programme, impoverished St. Lucians will be given lifetime enjoyment of the land that they occupy; households earning less than $1500 per month will be entitled to purchase the land at a subsidized rate and persons earning more than $1500 per month will pay market price.

Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony says a significant improvement in the quality of life of the programme’s beneficiaries is expected over the next year, through the completion of infrastructure improvement works in selected communities and the transfer of title deeds to remaining residents.

Said Dr. Anthony, “I want to express my own pleasure and satisfaction to the new land owners and I want to caution you. You are getting an important asset and I would like to hope that if our department comes to you five, ten, or fifteen years down the road that you are still in ownership and still in possession of this land, and that you have ensured that you have appreciated the value of the property that you have. In these days land, perhaps, is one of the most attractive and beneficial assets that anybody can have.”

Under phase two of PROUD set to begin sometime next year, additional areas will be identified whereby residents who are squatting can qualify for home ownership. Government will also intervene in situations where persons have been renting land for an extended period, making it easier for them to become landowners in the end. 

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