Monday, November 2, 2015. BMG: Just days away from the November 4th general election another scandal involving former Minister Elvin Penner is facing the reigning United Democratic Party (UDP).
This time, documents have surfaced that show Penner along with his mom and dad were leased and sold massive plots of land for very low prices from the Lands Department.
Penner was leased a 36.17 acre plot of land in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. The annual rent on the 36 acres was only $108.50. The purchase price for the 36-acre plot was set at a generous $9,404.20.
Penner’s dad, Edward Penner, bought a 10-acre plot of land on Turneffe island which was leased to him for $1,000 a year until January 15th, 2021. The document shows that the land was originally to be sold $65,000 but just last week Monday, the price was dramatically reduced to $26,000 and has already been purchased.
Penner’s mom Lena bought a 37.60-acre plot of land in the Pine Ridge area for just $9,776. The land was leased to her for $113.40 a year, valid until January 15th 2021, but the document shows the land was bought on June 1st of this year.
This is yet another scandal involving Penner for the UDP to deal with and with elections just a couple days away, the news of the scorned former minister has the possibility to hurt the party’s re-election bid. The documents, one of which is as recent as a week ago, has added fuel to the opposition’s speculation of a land grab being conducted by the UDP.