Griffith cries PNM victimisation

Griffith said he was voicing his concern not as a member of the UNC executive or even in his capacity as chairman of the St Joseph constituency, but “in the capacity as a God-fearing citizen”. He called on Government to give squatters first preference in the allocation of Government apartments to be constructed in St Joseph.

Griffith’s assertions came regarding the destruction of a house at the squatting community off the Priority Bus Route (PBR) in St Joseph known as “Bangladesh.”

Saying the provision of shelter was a basic human right, Griffith noted that a family in “Bangladesh” was forced to sleep on the street last Friday, “due to the reckless action by the State in destroying their home without any prior notice being given.” Griffith claimed there were “hardcore PNM areas” where squatting was a way of life but these areas were virtually untouched by demolition crews of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

“I am certainly not condoning the act of squatting, but I am showing the blatant bias and perceived victimisation taking place in the selection process of which squatting homes are to be demolished. It is a known fact that Farm Road in St Joseph is a hardcore UNC stronghold,” Griffith said.

He also claimed families squatting at Farm Road in St Joseph were doing so for several years. “The families in Farm Road now have to live in fear as they do not know if tomorrow will be their turn to also have to live in the streets,” Griffith said.

Griffith challenged the Government to prove it was a caring Government. “This can only be achieved by providing these families with the first options to purchase homes of the many apartments being built in the St Joseph constituency especially in Mt D’or, Mt Hope and Curepe,” Griffith said.

Noting Government had been accused of building apartments to facilitate PNM supporters, Griffith stated the only way the Government can prove this was not so was by ensuring the 65 families whose homes are earmarked for demolition are given St Joseph apartments.