'JLP can't go a PNP place' - JamaicaObserver.com

Sunday, November 08, 2009 12:53 AM

News

'JLP can't go a PNP place'

Squatters say relocation site not suitable

Friday, May 15, 2009

A clash is brewing between residents of Phoenix Park - a squatter settlement in Portmore, St Catherine - and the Housing Agency of Jamaica over plans by the state-run entity to relocate them.

The agency, which wants the sprawling property to be developed into a middle-income housing complex, has served notice on the more than 130 residents to vacate the premises between this weekend and May 24.

Raphael King, a resident of the squatter community of Phoenix Park in Portmore, St Catherine, displays a notice he said was issued by the Housing Agency of Jamaica to him and other residents to vacate the land. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Residents said, however, that they would not be leaving the land, which some have been occupying for the past 27 years, unless the housing agency scraps its plan of relocating them to the nearby community of Cotton (otherwise called Gulf) and increase the $10,000 which each household was given to assist with their relocation.

The residents said, too, that some elements in Cotton have branded them as supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and have warned them not to come there.

On Wednesday, a handful of residents staged a peaceful demonstration along the Christian Pen main road, also in Portmore, to highlight their situation.

"We plan to move and give them their land but $10,000 can't move us," a mother of seven children, who gave her name only as Georgia told the Observer during the protest.

"We are willing to move," interjected a man who gave his name as Rocky, "but they have to put us somewhere suitable, somewhere safe. The prime minister needs to know about this. These people do not care about us."

In notices purportedly sent by the housing agency, the residents are threatened with forced removal and the demolition of their houses should they fail to vacate the property by the specified time. A total of 39 houses are on the property.

"Rich people scorn poor people"; "Children and young girls are not safe in Gulf"; and "JLP can't go a PNP place", read of few of the placards paraded by the demonstrators.

Richard Jones, the agency's public relation and community development manager, told the Observer that the residents have for years been aware that the property was slated for development of Phase 2B of Portmore Villa. The project is set to start next month.

Jones said that consultations with residents started last month and that lots in Cotton, where they are to be relocated, have been prepared.
On the issue of the safety of the location, Jones said that if residents had security problems it was matter for the police.

Regarding the $10,000 that residents have complaining about, Jones said the money was not for construction of houses but to help with their relocation.

He said further that each household would be receiving a further $5,000 after relocation. "We are doing our best to facilitate and accommodate them. Any form of relocation has its inconvenience and pain but we are trying to alleviate that as much with the limited resources that we have," said Jones.

Jones said also that the agency had also given letters of recommendation to interested residents for them to seek houses from Food for the Poor.

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