Housing is about people, not race

THE EDITOR: That portion of land in St Joseph enclosed by the four highways is too highly developed to be considered prime agricultural lands. The existing Police Station, Junior Secondary School, WASA, Medical Centres, TTEC, Nestles, TT, Labour College and Housing Development can serve as mute testimony to the fact. What is this hue and cry about “Farm lands?” Further site investigation confirms 86 houses have been built west along the Old Southern Main Road on the lands in question. Added to this is a community centre, formally used as a Licence Office and the Curepe Educational Centre. Noticeable also west of the development, a number of shacks in occupation, similar to the ones elsewhere on the farm along the southern side of the Bus-route in the area of WASA. North Valsayn houses also form part of the location. These lands were part of the UWI Tropical Agricultural Station used only for conducting experiments. It was never intended for farming. The landscape changed over the years. That is why squatters can make use of it with a “letter of comfort.” It is not strange then to hear the cry, “People before Houses.” Make no mistake, let it be known to everyone, especially the politicians and lawyers that when Government requires land for development, whether private or otherwise, they are going to acquire it regardless of objections.

Take note that the estate at Pigeon Point, Tobago to be acquired for the general use of the public; the relocation of houses for the new Airport Terminal and the acquisition of lands for roads in general, should serve as a reminder to all the rabble rousers. The Government will now have to make in-depth study of the unauthorised structures of all kinds, especially on agricultural lands, except by permission from the Town and Country Planning. This is not observed on the southern side of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. I specifically refer to the El Socorro Extension and the Bamboo surroundings. The game is not worth the gamble. This is a chance of gaining a strategic advantage over the government. I see no reason why such areas should be overlooked. It is politically motivated and can overturn the apple cart. Town and Country Planning cannot escape blame. This strategic danger has become sharply apparent only in recent times, since the outcry over discrimination, equal opportunity, power sharing and proportional representation. But, however daunting the problems, nothing should stand in the way of Government’s housing initiative. It is all about people and their well-being and not about race. From all indication, the colossal waste of expenditure and incredible interest to be paid by the year 2020 only indicates incompetence, — square pegs in round holes. Having lost the right to govern, the opposition cannot command the public’s respect. As it turned out, the voters were eager to register their disdain for the former government’s ruinous mismanagement.

W  CRAIGWELL
Valsayn