Squatters must vacate Caroni lands

SCORES of families currently living on lands belonging to the now defunct Caroni (1975) Ltd are facing the grim prospect of being evicted from their homes. The move to evict residents, most of whom have occupied these lands for over 16 years, and on which many have built their homes, is being taken by Caroni 1975 Ltd’s replacement company, Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBDC).

Squatter Notices have been sent to respective occupiers of Caroni lands in Central and South Trinidad. An entire neighbourhood at Bronte Village, off San Fernando, is being ordered to vacate the lands within 21 days. Most of the lands are single plot on which whole families, many of whom are the sons and daughters of canefarmers and sugar workers, live. EMBDC’s officials told Newsday yesterday, the move to evict squatters from Caroni’s lands, was aimed at facilitating the ongoing allocation of lands to former sugar workers as part of their VSEP packages. But several persons threatened with eviction told Newsday they were entitled to the lands on which they live by virtue of being in occupation for over 16 years.