Kingstown St. Vincent May 19, 2026-Housing Minister Andrew John has pushed back against claims that the government is unlawfully preventing Vincentians from completing payments on lands allocated under the former administration.
Speaking on NBC radio on May19th 2026, John responded to recent public commentary and criticism from Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves surrounding the handling of state land transactions by the New Democratic Party government.
The issue gained national attention after an opinion article published in online news outlets claimed that 215 Vincentians were preparing legal action against the state over alleged discrimination and breach of contract linked to lands offered under the previous Unity Labour Party administration.
The article alleged that some people attempting to continue payments for parcels of land had been turned away by officials at the Lands and Surveys Department after the change in government.
The controversy intensified earlier this year when Gonsalves declared he was “ready to go to jail” over the matter, accusing the government of “playing with fire” by allegedly halting land transactions involving ordinary citizens.
During his radio comments, Minister John defended the government’s approach and addressed concerns raised about the administration’s review of land allocations.
The minister argued that the government had a responsibility to ensure transparency, proper procedures and accountability in the management of state lands.
John questioned the timing and scale of the allocations, arguing that the government had a responsibility to examine how the lands were distributed.
“What he’s saying to us is that 215 persons were given parcels of land during the election cycle,” the minister said. “And that in itself, if you look at it on the surface of it, is questionable.”
The minister stressed that the government was not seeking to confiscate lands already offered to individuals, but said a review was needed because of longstanding complaints from people who claimed they had applied for land years earlier without receiving responses.
“When I took up the Housing Ministry, I was not able to find the list of all the persons who applied,” he said. “So, it does not mean that those persons who were actually given the land were persons who applied.”
John said the government had decided to temporarily pause the process while officials reviewed the allocations and the procedures used.
The dispute centres on lands that were reportedly offered for purchase under the former ULP administration, including parcels in North Windward, North Central Windward, Central Leeward and parts of the Grenadines. According to public commentary surrounding the matter, some individuals had already begun making instalment payments before the 2025 general election.
Opposition Leader Dr. Gonsalves has repeatedly maintained that offer letters issued by the state constitute binding agreements and has urged affected citizens to seek legal advice if they believe their rights are being violated.