And, it's not only the Montero's who got put on blast today - another suspect land deal allegedly involved the Leader of the Opposition, Patrick Faber's closest advisor and campaign manager Roosevelt Blades.
Hyde explained this scheme:
Hon. Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources
"In the month of September alone they racked up over 15 million dollars in new land compensation commitments, amazing. Simply amazing. And in that month they did something that I thought was unthinkable. On September 25th of 2020 the then government entered into a contract to pay a lady by the name of Barbara Harris Weir six million sixty seven thousand dollars for 26 acres of land in the Belama area. Pure mangrove for 6 million dollars. The government then proceeds to sub-divide the land into 5 big parcels and further attempt to sub-divide these lands into a 130 house lots, but elections was fast approaching and time was running out, so the fellows over there instead of issuing the lots to 130 individuals or leaving the land to distribute for whoever emerges as the victorious party decide to sell the 6 million dollars land to a former UDP senator and campaign manager for the member of Collet, not for 6 million dollars, or 5 million
dollars, or 4 million dollars, or 3, or 2 or 1 million dollars - those 26 acres of land that the government paid 6 million dollars for was sold for $26,000 and they weren't done there, the original parcel of land owned by Mrs. Weir comprised 39.49 acres of land. Government bought 26 acres of that land and then gave her title for remain 13.49 acres as part of the settlement agreement. She got her title November 5th of 2020, but the following day November 6th, 2020, the lands department issued a purchase approval for the same 13.49 acres to one Roosevelt Blades. So its not bad enough that Mr. Blades got an opportunity to buy the 6 million dollars land for not $26.000, but $33,000, the 26 acres of Belama land. He had to get the other 13 acres for which the lady had already gotten title. Its insanity on stilts. But there is a saving grace, because Mr. Blades never did complete the payments for the 6 parcels of land that comprise the 26 acres and 13.49 acres. He only paid about $7,500 of the purchase price. So Madam Speaker, Mr. Blades can come back for his money or someone over there can pick up the money for him."
And while her name was not mentioned, there was an implication that a former UDP Senator was involved as an intermediary in bridging the transaction. Well, today, former Senator Juliet Thimbriel reached us to say the transaction and nothing to do with her, and - according to her - it's all on Roosevelt Blades. She said the transaction as she understands it is, quote, "Crazy and something I can NEVER EVER Support..."
