Another family reclaims land at Chaguaramas

CHAIRMAN of the Chaguaramas Legal Land Owners Association, Augustine Noel, yesterday said the small contingent of persons who had gathered opposite the Chaguaramas Convention Centre were there to reclaim their land.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday morning and in the company of about 15 other persons, Noel said they were also there to lend support to yet another group — members of the Phillip family who are claiming that they are heirs to the land from which their families were relocated in 1941. The families were relocated years ago when the land was leased to the American government for the construction of a naval base. The Phillip family has since claimed that part of the land on which the Chaguaramas Convention Centre was built is theirs, as well as the prime beachfront land opposite the Centre, which is currently used by sea-bathers and food vendors. A member of the Phillip family, Oswald Mahon, told Newsday that they were willing to do whatever they have to do because it is their land.

Questioned as to whether any meetings with government officials had been arranged to sort out the matter, he replied “We have been doing this for the past years, trying to get compensation for the lands.” However, he noted that, “There have been no replies and they are just ignoring us.” The family has been left with no option, but to take the action employed yesterday, he added, which will entail the installation of signs warning trespassers that it is now private property, and possibly fencing. It is still left to be seen whether persons will be prevented from using the beachfront bordering the land, since family members admit that they have not given that much thought. “This is our land, we have been paying the taxes for it and it is rightfully ours,” Mahon declared. Adding that the family always possessed a deed for the land, Mahon said all the taxes were paid off, with the last set of taxes being paid approximately two weeks ago, for 57 acres of land.

Harold Tardieu, a member of the second family who were successful in reclaiming some 300 odd acres of Chaguaramas land which includes Scotland Bay said since the reclamation, they have been planting the land. Stating that they have not yet been subjected to any form of victimisation, Tardieu added that their taxes were paid for one year. Further plans are revolving around “moving back home,” (referring to the land) he revealed. Supporter Dr Ralph Hoyte suggested that the families are not harbouring any thoughts of evicting existing tenants on the land, but said it was only right that if rent was being paid, it should be paid to the rightful land owners, and not the government. In total, there are nine families who are currently claiming Chaguaramas lands whilst other persons are waiting patiently for the outcome, before deciding to pursue any kind of action, claimed Dr Hoyte. Francis Sandy is yet another person who is stating that roughly six acres at Tetron Barracks belong to his family, but a definite course of action is yet to be determined, he added. Following Trinidad and Tobago’s is independence, the lands were returned to the state. Augustine Noel is alleging that the government of the day under the leadership of Dr Eric Williams, claimed to be unaware of any agreements by which the lands should have been returned to the original owners.