bmobile supports Housing Ministry’s public awareness, education campaign on squatting

The competition formed part of the MHUD’s and LSA’s recent Public Awareness and Education Campaign on Squatting, which ran from April to June and which was aimed at achieving several objectives, including communicating that squatting is illegal and should be discouraged. The campaign also highlighted the negative impacts of squatting on the environment and wider community; and encouraged a change of behaviour.

Dr Seema Kadir, who copped first place honours in the letter writing competition, received an iPhone 6S+ courtesy participating sponsor, bmobile. In her brief remarks, Dr Kadir thanked the Ministry and LSA for initiating its ‘Squatting is Illegal’ Public Awareness Campaign. She also commended bmobile for its sponsorship of such a worthwhile project and lauded the valuable contributions made by the other participants.

Also present at the ceremony was the Presentation College (Chaguanas) Debate Team - the winning team of the LSA’s Debate Competition which was another element of the overall campaign.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Jerod Griffith said that it was a keenly contested competition, but a very interesting and enlightening experience in which his team learned a lot through their research on squatting. It ultimately led them to appreciate the enormity of the problem. “Being aware of the problem is the first step,” said Griffith.

Griffith also thanked and congratulated the LSA Team for the initiative and for placing their trust in them to do a remarkable job. “Our teacher and the school were very supportive of the team’s efforts and my colleagues and I were able to keep each other motivated.” In his remarks, Minister Mitchell indicated that while the Government appreciates that shelter is a very real need, squatting should not be tolerated.

“Many persons are constructing impressive homes in squatting communities. These persons do not seem to care about the consequences of these unplanned developments which are proliferating at an astonishing rate all over the country.” He further stated that “it would seem that this generation was lost because of the lawlessness of some citizens.

However, what this competition illustrates is that the next generation is aware of the problem and can become active change agents.” The Minister, like Dr Kadir, also extended his appreciation to bmobile for partnering with the Ministry and the LSA on this campaign which will be an annual feature of the LSA’s public education efforts.

TSTT’s Manager Government Sales and Services Gervon Abraham was on hand for the prizegiving and commended both Dr Kadir’s winning entry and the debate team’s performance. “This clearly demonstrates that this generation will make the difference for the next generation and we need to continue to engage people in the discussions about the issue of squatting to bring about meaningful change.” Also in attendance at the prize-giving were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Simone Thorne-Mora; LSA Chairman, Ossley Francis and CEO, Hazar Hosein.