Bagatelle squatters to be regularised

Senator Sadiq Baksh told Newsday that citizens in the Bagatelle community and other citizens in Trinidad and Tobago who were squatting on State lands before 1998 received letters of comfort.

"We made lands available and provided loans during our time, and the Government is entitled to use the land for public purpose and adequately compensate them," Baksh said.

The land which will be used for the sporting complex, starts at the Diego Martin Western Main Road and Bagatelle Road to First Trace and down across to Savannah One and Savannah Two.

There are also a number of small businesses in the community.

The LSA told residents in a letter that the area is to be used for a regional sporting complex, and that they will be compensated for their housing structure and they are to refrain from construction.

Christopher Thomas, a resident who has been living in the community for the past 24 years, said he was not willing to move because he had invested a lot in his joinery business and in building his home.

"I work for the Government with all my blood, sweat and tears and they want me to do that again?" he asked.

He said he lives in a peaceful place, off Bagatelle Road, and he has no assurance that the Government would compensate him for his investment.

"I know how they move! There is a place here called Baghdad, and when they build this stadium with a big wall, is now things will happen!" Thomas said. Selwin Ramatali, who had bought two houses on First Trace, said he was unsure if he would be compensated by the Government for his houses.

"They had a meeting and told us they will compensate us and did not give us a date to leave. They also told us they giving us house with deed and land. I am waiting to see if they will do it," he disclosed.

LSA officials told Newsday the area is due for comprehensive development.

"Squatters will be regularised and they are going through that process right now," an official said.

Hundreds of squatters living in the Bagatelle community for years will be affected. The community is made up of single family units and has a majority of single males. Some of the squatters were given letters of comfort, while some of the recent squatters are hoping they will get the opportunity for regularisation.

However, LSA officials did not want to comment on the new location for squatters who will be moved to accommodate the new River Estate development plan. The Bagatelle community is part of the River Estate Development.

The official said the development of the land will begin early next year.