Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis, addressing parliamentarians at the Bahamas Parliamentary Land Reform Consultation held at Breezes Bahamas resort, May 21, 2025.
Co-chair of the Land Reform Committee, Mrs. Sharlyn Smith, gives a synopsis of the land review.
Parliamentarians, including Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard, former prime ministers Ingraham and Minnis, and parliamentarians from both the upper and lower houses, gather at Breezes Bahamas resort, May 21, 2025 to participate in a Bahamas Parliamentary Land Reform Consultation.
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Parliamentarians gathered at Breezes Bahamas resort for a one-day session discussing Land Reform on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Chairperson of the Land Reform Committee and Minister of State with Responsibility for Disaster Risk Management (DRM), the Hon. Leon Lundy, introduced the Prime MInister, who delivered brief remarks.
The Prime Minister said the officials were invited to the Bahamas Parliamentary Land Reform Consultation ahead of the impending formal debate on land reform legislation. He said that the move to reform this critical issue, represents a 'generational shift' on how land ownership is managed and secured in the country.
"It is critical that every parliamentarian fully understands the impact these reforms will have on Bahamian families, businesses and communities," said Prime Minister Davis. "For decades, successive administrations have acknowledged that our land system is broken. Yet here we are -- in 2025 -- still grappling with the same issues identified in the very first White Paper on land reform back in the 1960s. That's not just unfortunate - that's unacceptable."
He said that the consequences in delays include Bahamians being left without clear title to their land, inability to pass land on or develop it, or even to access credit or to use the land as security. He noted that the cost is not only financial but also emotional, taking its toll on families caught in uncertainty. To this end, he said the government has to act to rectify this situation. The Land Adjudication Bill, 2025 and the Land Registration Bill, 2025 represent a complete overhaul of how we determine and record land ownership.
"This system will bring clarity where there is now confusion, and justice where there has been exploitation," said Prime Minister Davis. "We're moving from an outdated deed-based system to a modern title-based registry. Every land parcel will receive a unique identification number." He said that owners will be issued legal certificates that would serve as indisputable proof of ownership.
"Adjudicators -- supported by teams on the ground -- will visit communities, hear claims, assess evidence and resolve disputes through an independent Land Tribunal," said the Prime Minister. He also said that once claims are settled, the land could be officially registered and secured. The consequences of this include the cessation of overlap in claims, land being locked in legal battles, families being unable to access mortgages or sell property, and generations waiting to inherit land they should already own.
"These reforms unlock real potential," he stated. "Families can pass land on to their children with confidence. Businesses can expand. Developers can build, and ordinary Bahamians will finally have access to credit using land they rightfully own."
(BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna)
Remarks by Prime Minister Philip Davis: https://opm.gov.bs/prime-minister-davis-bahamas-parliamentary-land-reform-consultation/
