Government Approves Concession Land For 3 Opposition MP’s—But Not at Deep Bay Heights

Despite his criticisms, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed that the government has approved land for opposition MPs at a concession rate, but not in the high-value Deep Bay Heights area they originally sought.

“The Cabinet agreed that we would sell them land at a concession rate because we’re not trying to deprive them of the opportunity,” Browne said. “But where they went and what they were trying to achieve was something else.”

The Prime Minister alleged that three United Progressive Party (UPP) MPs—Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, and Richard Lewis—each formally requested one acre of land at Deep Bay Heights, a prime government-owned development area earmarked for high-end tourism.

“These individuals requested land that is valued at about $2 million EC each, and they wanted to pay about $200,000 EC—a fraction of its true worth,” Browne stated. “We have agreements with Sunwing to develop that area, and these individuals want us to take the land from Sunwing and sell it to them personally.”

Browne accused the opposition MPs of engaging in self-enrichment, despite their frequent public criticism of his administration.

“They didn’t go to an area where land sells for $5 per square foot. They went after land we reserved for high-end villas and resort developments,” he said.

A letter titled “Evil is What Evil Does,” criticized the MPs for attempting to acquire land at a steeply discounted rate.

“The trio was recently spotted surveying land in Deep Bay Heights before formally petitioning the Minister of Lands, Hon. Anthony Smith, requesting the sale of at least one acre each at significantly discounted rates,” the statement read. “While the market value of land in this area exceeds $20 USD per square foot, these MPs sought to acquire it for $1.50 USD per square foot.”

Browne further suggested that their land requests may have been financially motivated in anticipation of an attempt to break away from the UPP and form a new political entity.

“It is said that these three are laying the groundwork for a breakaway political entity, an endeavor that has until recently been met with hesitation from MP Watts,” the government’s statement added.

Browne also used the opportunity to criticize the MPs’ performance in Parliament, arguing that they have failed to represent their constituents.

“Shugy and Serpent have not spoken for more than 10 minutes total in the two years they’ve been in Parliament,” he said. “They show up in the morning, then disappear by lunchtime.”

He further claimed that Shugy Simon has not participated in a single budget debate since entering Parliament and had even skipped a parliamentary session to attend Trinidad’s Carnival.

“They are quick to criticize the government but slow to do the work,” Browne said. “Not once have they written letters on behalf of their constituents to get land—but they wrote for themselves.”

While he was critical of their actions, Browne reiterated that the government maintains a policy of offering MPs concessionary land, particularly those who have served multiple terms.

“The issue here is not about whether MPs should get concession land. It’s about where they wanted it and the intent behind it,” he said.

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