Antigua Government moves to buy back airport lands

By OBSERVER News

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has revealed that the government is trying to buy back two parcels of land at the VC Bird International Airport from a development company owned by jailed Texan financier, R Allen Stanford.

In his New Year’s address, the nation’s leader said the land is needed for the construction of the new airport terminal, which had its groundbreaking ceremony back in early November last year.

Spencer said the government aims to have construction for the two-year project begin this month. However, he said the project “necessitates the utilisation of two parcels of land currently owned by Stanford Development Company Limited: the small parcel (.64 of an acre) to the east which was used by the taxis as a parking area, and the former government car park parcel of 5.42 acres,” Spencer said.

Stanford had in February 2003 purchased from the government 25.59 acres around the airport compound, including these parcels at a concessionary price of EC $1.10 per square foot, according to Spencer.

The prime minister said he hopes to have an agreement reached that would allow the government to take control of the land immediately.

“I have instructed the Airport Authority to hold discussions with the company officials early next week towards arriving at a reasonable sale price of the two parcels of land back to government and on terms that will allow for immediate occupation,” Spencer said.

There is no indication on whether the company plans to comply with the request but Spencer said he is anticipating full co-operation and a quick resolution.

“Given the national interest at stake and the imminent commencement of construction works, I expect that the necessary co-operation and good faith on both sides will allow a settlement of this matter in the shortest possible time,” Spencer said.