Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega may be stronger than ever within his party after overcoming a challenge for his deputy's post a month ago. But while he's strong in the UDP, in the court of public opinion he's come under heavy scrutiny for transactions of public land being sold on the cheap to his relatives. The most recent case involved his son's girlfriend, Dominique Gomez and other UDP friends in the Vega orbit who were sold properties within the Placencia Lagoon. Turns out villagers had their eyes set on the land as a possible reserve area; they raised a fuss, and the PM ordered that the lands be re-acquired by government.
Now, the Prime Minister has said the compensation should come at market value, not a refund of the acquisition price - which would mean a significant "come-up" for the friends and family. Today Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega told the media he doesn't know what the compensation value is, but he's sure it's not at market value:
Reporter
"Is Dominique Gomez your daughter in law?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Minister of Natural Resources
"No, no but she is the girlfriend of my son."
Reporter
"Can you tell me how much the land was bought for and since government has taken it back, what is the compensation?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega
"I don't remember exactly what they had paid for the land and what the compensation was for since I am not directly involved in that, but one thing I can tell you in that they definitely did not get any market value for the land that they returned to government."
Vega was speaking at the launch of the new BTL Directory in Cayo - and we'll have more from that later on.
Vega is currently acting Prime Minister as PM Barrow left the country today on personal leave. Barrow will return on Easter Monday.
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