JSC report tells of Merikins’ land loss

The report said that after the American War of 1812, freed slaves who fought for the British were rewarded by being taken to Trinidad and given 16 acres of land each, in areas such as Guaracara, Indian Walk, New Grant and Fifth Company, with an extra allocation for those capable of extra production.

However, the report said, persons have been illegally transferring land belonging to members of the Merikins society. There have also been alleged incidents where groups have obtained a significant amount of Merikins land through violent tactics as well as individuals selling Merikins land sometimes to members of the Merikins society itself.

The prime spots in area such as New Grant, Indian Walk and Moruga have been claimed by businessmen and squatting is an issue in New Grant, Petit Caf?, Indian Walk, Fifth Company and Hardbargain, the report stated. The report said Merikins face difficulty in obtaining electricity, water and telephone amenities.

Further, a substantial amount of land has become inaccessible as a result of a lack of foresight and planning.

Members of the society indicated while some families have informed their offspring of their rights to land, granted to their forefathers, others are unaware of such rights, said the report. It hailed the Merikins’ contribution by way of bringing the Baptist Faith and its schools, populating and developing South Trinidad including working in the oilfields and producing two female cricketers who are now on the West Indies Women’s cricket team.

The JSC report said the Merikins society has urged several remedies including the demarcation of Merikins land from State land, establishing a committee to deal with the fraudulent transfer of land, creating a State-sanctioned Merikins registry to trace lineage, holding a national awareness campaign of Merikins history and giving out land titles to members.

The Committee is mindful of the overly prolonged period in which members of the society have gone without being given titles to lands granted to them.

As a result, the Committee is cognizant of how difficult it will be to trace ownership and lineage.

The report urged the provision of Legal Aid to conduct research on root title and then distribute the land, that the State provide lands as heritage sites, that the Ministry of Tourism and the regional corporation collaborate with the Merikins Society to develop a Community Heritage Programme, and that the Foreign Affairs Ministry facilitate further collaboration with the Canadian, British and United States authorities to encourage cultural exchanges.

There should be consultation with members of the society before any decision is taken regarding the way forward in treating with the issue.

“The Committee is concerned about the alleged instances of land belonging to members of the Merikins’ society being fraudulently acquired and resold.

The Committee is of the view that this matter should be urgently looked into by the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries and measures implemented to cease this practice.

“The Committee supports the view of the society that there should be national awareness of the history of the Merikins society and their contribution to Trinidad and Tobago.”