Caroni will evict all suqatters

Agriculture Minister John Rahael has confirmed that management officials at Caroni (1975) Limited were under “strict instructions” to evict all persons from illegally occupying its lands.

He was speaking to reporters after the commissioning of the Rehabilitated Trinidad Sluice Gate System, at the M2 Ring Road, Woodland, South Oropouche, yesterday. Asked to comment on the developing battle between the State-owned company and reputed millionaire pastor, Vishnu Lutchmansingh, the Agriculture Minister stated that the lands were “State lands” under the purview of Caroni Limited.

“Caroni Limited has strict instructions that anyone that goes onto the lands at Caroni that does not have a lease, nor does not have approval to go on the lands must not be allowed to stay on the lands,” Rahael said. He further stated that squatting, in any of its manifestations on prime agricultural lands, would “not be tolerated.” “The Caroni Estate police and the management of Caroni Limited have very clear directions to not allow any forms of squatting from persons or groups or companies to go onto Caroni’s lands,” Rahael said. Earlier, Rahael reiterated to farmers who had gathered to witness the formal commissioning of the sluice gates, that Government’s 2020 vision included equipping farmers with the necessary infrastructure to grow their crops.