HDC bulldozes agricultural lands for housing

Angry farmers squared off with workmen from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) at the site yesterday, as acres of land were bulldozed. Police had to be called in to calm down the angry farmers who said they have been cultivating the 30 acres of land for pineapples and other produce.

They are demanding compensation.

Dhanoo Sookoo, president of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, was at the site in Mausica yesterday to lend support to the affected farmers.

Sookoo said the People’s Partnership government indicated in their manifesto that development the agricultural sector was one of the six pillars of development. She said the People’s Partnership promised that its top priority will be the development of the Agricultural Sector.

She said yesterday’s action showed the highest level of disrespect for the farmers of the country.

The farmers are calling on their colleagues throughout the country to join them as they protest outside the HDC’s offices in Port-of-Spain, this morning.

HDC’s managing director Jearlean John was reported in a television interview as saying the corporation was only carrying out the mandate of the State.

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