No Muslim village on Sou Sou land

THE EDITOR: Recently, several persons have made contributions on the matter of establishing a Muslim Village. One letter writer pointed out that a Muslim Village already exists at the Sou-Sou Land Project at Las Lomas No 3, South of the Caroni South Bank Road and he expressed concern why Sou-Sou Land would establish a settlement for Muslims only. The letter writer was not quite correct and Sou-Sou Land would like to set the record straight.

The Sou-Sou Land Las Lomas South Project comprises 150 acres and was developed as a joint venture between Sou-Sou Land and the Muslim Credit Union. There were 266 parcels of land ranging from single residential lots to homesteads and larger agricultural parcels. Approximately one half of the parcels of the land were allocated to members of the Muslim Credit Union which we expect were Muslims. The other half of the parcels of land were allocated to Sou-Sou Land members of all religions and undoubtedly some of whom would be Muslims. It is expected therefore that some of the streets would bear Muslim names such as Hudaa Drive and Araf Drive. So that, although the majority of the residents of this community are Muslims, it is not correct to say that it is a Muslim Village.

There are a couple of additional points worth noting in this matter. Firstly, there is nothing wrong with groups of persons having a common interest trying to establish housing settlements to assist their members. In fact, this has been done before. The National Union of Government and Frederated Workers established housing settlements for its members at Valsayn South and at Pleasantville. This kind of activity should be encouraged. Secondly, it is acknowledged that there is a critical shortage of houses in our country. Housing solutions can come from many sources and in many cases through self help methods.

For example, many of the better NHA developments were created when the Sou-Sou Land Board sat as the NHA Board in 1987 and 1988 chaired by Ivan Laughlin. Couva North, Dyette Estate, la Paille Village and Union Hall are some examples of this, where landless persons were allocated to a lot each at a reasonable price and small loans were made available to begin construction. These developments are some of the most beautiful in the country today all built by low to middle income families. Unfortunately, the  present administration appears to be unable to tap the tremendous resources of the people adept in funding housing solutions and with the assistance of the Inter American Development Bank foolishly continues the policy of providing complete houses, as their only housing solution.

LENNOX SANKERSINGH
Director
Sou-Sou Land Ltd