By L.K Hewlette
St. Kitts – Nevis Observer Reporter
Red flags are being raised regarding the government’s latest privatization deal and land initiative which when combined, could gross close to 300 million dollars.
During a ceremony held at the Marriott Resort last Friday, Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Denzil Douglas signed the necessary documents to sell government’s equity interest in Cable and Wireless (St.Kitts – Nevis Ltd.) netting over EC$36 million.
Cable and Wireless (West Indies) purchased the shares from the government at $6.41 each and is required to make them available to the public at $5 per share, plus the usual transaction costs. However, only 30% of the 17% shares sold by the government will be made available to the public.The telecom giant was under no requirement to make those shares available to the public as the contract negotiated between them and the government of the day contained the provision of the right of first refusal. This particular provision is also contained in the contract between the government and the Cable, meaning the company has first dibs to purchase any of the company’s shares that is to be sold by the government.
Government also launched a new land initiative in August which stipulated that persons successful in being allocated land had just six months to pay for the land in ENTIRETY.
According to Douglas, there are 5000 lots to be sold, the minimum lot size being 4000 sq ft., the maximum being 9000 sq. ft. with the first 4000 sq ft. going at $5 per sq. ft and any additional square footage selling for $6.50.
Based on these figures , the government stands to make a minimum, EC$100 million and if all 5000 lots are sold at maximum size, a whopping $262 million.
The Prime Minister has also announced plans to liquidate government assets including equity interest in the Cable, the quarry operations, Cemaco, the Development Bank and the Electricity and Water service.
“”¦.it was made clear that the government intended to move forward with the privatization process as an important element of the development strategy. In this regard, the government with the assistance of the Caribbean Development Bank has already engaged consultants in respect of the commercialization of the Electricity Service. In respect of CEMACO, we have invited competitive bids for the purchase of this enterprise and we expect that shortly we will be in a position to make an appropriate announcement in respect of the privatizing of Cemaco,” Douglas stated.
With respect to the privatization of the Cable, Douglas said that they were already in negotiations with the largest minority shareholder to privatize the government’s interest in the enterprise.
Political watchdogs are commenting on the seemingly MAD RUSH to liquidate federal assets and have raised more than a few eyebrows as to what the funds are earmarked for. There is also concern about the economic fallout from privatization that will occur as privatision of utility companies is always coupled with a rise in the cost of said utilities.
Extracted from:
The St.Kitts-Nevis Observer