PM promises to address squatters’ concerns

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has promised to address the concerns of squatters at Union Hall, Wallerfield, Cashew Gardens and other areas. This was revealed by Civil Rights Forum (CRF) chairman Kenneth Rampersad, after a meeting with the Prime Minister at Whitehall at 9.30 am yesterday. Ramchand said he asked the Prime Minister to indicate what the difference was between squatters at Union Hall and those in other parts of the country, saying these people felt they were being discriminated against. The CRF chairman said Manning promised to look into the concerns of the squatters and hold a follow-up meeting with him.

While he described the meeting as cordial, Rampersad hinted the squatters may have to resort to other measures to get their point across, depending on what the Prime Minister says. Manning was also given a petition from the 50 squatters, from different parts of Trinidad, who accompanied Rampersad to Whitehall to express their concerns. Rampersad said the CRF is receiving all its legal advice, where the squatters are concerned, from  former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj.

On Wednesday, a High Court judge granted the National Housing Authority (NHA) an order to prevent any further construction of houses by squatters at Union Hall. The order was a variation of one granted on Tuesday, which prevented the NHA from demolishing any more structures on these lands. Newsday understands that the NHA will be monitoring the lands to ensure the squatters do not breach the court order. Despite Manning’s promise that Union Hall squatters would be relocated, NHA chairman Noel Garcia said the Authority has received no such mandate, but if asked to assist, it would do so.