Land for debt swap for Nevis?

(ZIZ)– A recent statement by Nevis’ Finance Minister and Premier, the Honourable Vance Amory has raised more questions about the possibility of there being a land for debt swap on Nevis.

In the recent release, Premier Amory is quoted as saying, “As promised, I met with the Chairman of the Board and management of the St. Kitts Nevis National Bank this morning to discuss the matter and the transfer of lands to the bank stipulated under the St. Kitts Nevis debt restructuring arrangement entered into in 2012 by the Nevis island government.”

Amory’s statement comes just five months after the Nevis Reformation Party’s Press Secretary Deli Caines suggested that members of the CCM-led NIA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding which signalled their interest in pursuing a land for debt swap.

“How is it that in October, the following persons signed a land for debt swap document?  The Honourable Alexis Jeffers, Leon Lescott, Stedmond Tross, Colin Dore and Laurie Lawrence. The documents were for Pinney’s and Stock Pen estates,” Caines alleged.

To Caines’ question, the NIA’s Cabinet Secretary Stedmond Tross denied that his Administration was involved in signing any land for debt related document.

“I know you addressed it to the Honourable Premier but you mentioned my name. Let it be known I have not signed any…what they call it…land transfer to anything so let that be known,” Tross stated.