Housing seeks to remedy chronic squatting problem

HOUSING MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley said the rationale for accelerating Government’s housing programme is to remedy the chronic squatting problem in Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley also dismissed suggestions that Government’s accelerated housing delivery means a general election is imminent. Rowley was speaking at a Ministry of Housing handing over of keys ceremony to new home owners at KP Lands Valencia on Tuesday. He said if  speculation exists that an election is around the corner, “I did not tell you that.” Rowley added that Prime Minister Patrick Manning spoke to him recently on a one-on-one basis “but he did not tell me that too”.

The project targets solving a particular problem which is the shortage of housing and is not geared for one class of people, but would facilitate low, middle and high income persons. Rowley said while past administrations have had to grapple with squatting, his government is somehow managing the problem much better. He complimented the former squatters at La Platta Circular, Valencia who vacated the lands at this site to house squatters that were removed from Wallerfield. Rowley said if we put our heads together, there could be a solution to the housing problems that exist in TT and he would like to see squatting come to an end. He said Government is addressing the nation’s housing problems at a rapid pace so that the squatters’ law would not have to change year after year.

He gave the assurance that in the 2005/2006 Budget one would see the Ministry of Housing getting a significant allocation. A number of communities would be regularised and a list of squatters would be upgraded to acceptable status. Rowley said this country could break a record if citizens cooperate. Cooperation is the factor that brings success. Rowley said he would be happy to see that the houses remain without fence and burglar proof, but this could only happen if all live as a family and community with a vision of peace and togetherness. Development can be measured on how life has been changed for better; it is not dollars and cents, said Rowley.