‘The Hut’ demolition sign of lawlessness

One such example is the recent demolition of “The Hut,” Port of Spain, which was an officially listed national heritage building, previously occupied jointly by the Girl Guides and Caribs Rugby Club. No one will admit to having given instructions nor having paid for doing this, but Jennifer Johnson, who is president of the Girl Guides Association, is quoted in the newspapers as having said, “The fact of the matter is that the place was totally destroyed and you had to begin to clear up the mess and that is what happened this morning.” In reality, “the fact of the matter” is quite the opposite. The fact of the matter is that only the roof, windows and the contents of the building were destroyed by a fire in March — the solid, thick stone walls were not “destroyed” in any sense whatsoever.

The fact of the matter is that the structure was in much better condition when it was maliciously demolished earlier this month, than when Caribs Rugby Club entered into an agreement with the girl guides to re-roof and refurbish it in the early 1980s.

The fact of the matter is that the Zoological Society wanted the property for its own use and the Girl Guides Association, but not Caribs, was willing to give it to them. Be that as it may, enough is surely enough when people in authority who are expected to protect, promote and sustain our “special treasures” (be it wild animals, young girls, plants, trees, flowers, or historical buildings) openly flaunt the law.

That this cowardly act was committed early one morning, before action could be taken to prevent it, speaks volumes about these “exemplars.” Johnson is quoted as saying that she was not involved in the demolition “directly,” though supporting it, so she is not responsible. No one is accountable. Is it any wonder that so many of our young people are lost and resort to killing without thought or remorse when people who should be guarding our national heritage are actively engaged in destroying it?

BRIAN STOLLMEYER St James, PoS