The fight for East Port-of-Spain

Those were the words of Hazel Smith, a member of Is We Community Developers, on Sunday.

The organisation, which has been in operation for seven years, consists of residents of east Port-of-Spain (PoS) and represents areas such as South Quay, Independence Square, Besson, Duncan, Nelson, and George streets.

“We usually put on and are involved in various cultural events in the area,” said Smith, “that is until this came up.”

Smith was referring to the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) plan to demolish several housing units in PoS in order to build new apartments.

Smith said HDC chief executive officer Noel Garcia, proposed that 400 of the 2,000 new apartments would be allocated to residents.

However, Is We Community Developers is opposed to moving the tenants without a legally binding agreement. Smith claimed that, presently 682 units are being utilised while only about 100 tenants do not wish to return when construction is completed.

“They never spoke to us about any of these plans that affect our lives,” said Smith.

“They did not involve us in any of the decision making. We have not seen any of the plans for these developments. They are insulting us and our intelligence. They are basically saying, ‘We’re going ahead with what we plan to do whether you like it or not.’ That’s dictatorship.

“ We put the Government in power so they have to listen to us. They think people are asleep but we are wide awake.”

She also expressed her surprise at reports that residents backed down on their request for a $2.5 million buyout per person.

“When we heard about the Government’s plans,” she related, “the residents asked HDC for $2.5 million as a buy-out proposal. The last we heard, (Housing Minister Dr Keith) Rowley rejected the offer, now he (Garcia) is saying that we rescinded on the offer. We not stupid... Why would we say no?”

Smith also questioned Garcia’s mathematical skills. Garcia has claimed that tenants collectively owed the Government $200 million in rent. “If you calculate the rent for 682 units at $15 a month over a period of 60 years, the rent will come up to $10.8 million. That’s not even close to $200 million - and when we pointed this out to him, he couldn’t say anything.

The Government needs to understand that we are not foolish. We are educated people who know how to think and understand and count.”

Smith said Is We Community Developers is planning to take HDC to court.

“They can’t just come here with their bulldozers. It doesn’t work like that. They will be in violation of the laws of this land and we will stand up.”

When asked about Is We Community Developers’ reaction to the HDC’s plans to make their final presentation to Rowley in May, Smith said they will wait and see what happens between now and then.

“HDC’s threats to move ahead with the plans are not scaring us,” she said defiantly, “We don’t intend to move, we intend to fight.”