The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

A REVIEW of commonage land laws will be undertaken during the next five years, according to the government.

In the Speech from the Throne, delivered at the opening of parliament by Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, the new PLP government confirmed it will "review and amend as necessary the laws relating to commonage land so as to allow for greater commercial use and beneficial enjoyment of land by commoners."

The PLP's governance plan notes that "land is the basis of all wealth."

Former Exuma MP George Smith agreed with the plan to review commonage laws to allow for greater commercial use and benefits, having represented a constituency with ample quantities of undeveloped land.

He noted that the current laws allow Bahamians to use common land for their own purposes without being able to "take advantage" of it for commercial purposes.

"It would be a good idea for the government, in consultation with the various beneficiaries of that land, to find a formula to get some commercial utilisation to the advantage of the people while still protecting the right of the unborn inheritors," Mr Smith said. "There must be a formula to do that. I think with imagination and proper consultation it could happen."

The PLP's Charter For Governance also said large plots of land remain undeveloped because of "ownership disputes" or because the owner cannot be determined.

"This is particularly the case in our Family Islands," it said. "As a result, the opportunity for entrepreneurship and jobs often goes unrealised. At the same time, there appears to be insufficient accountability in the disposition of Crown Land."