WHEN the heavy tractors and trucks move in to start construction on the new housing complex in Stadium Gardens, St Andrew, 56-year-old Paul Moodie will have to find alternative shelter for himself and his family.

Yesterday’s ground-breaking ceremony for the 56-unit housing complex came as an unpleasant dose of reality for the farmer who has, for more than 30 years, depended on the land to feed his 12 children.

“I don’t know what I am going to do. I am worried because when I look into it this is a ground-breaking and it will be the contractors next. When they come in with their bulldozers, I can’t stop them, I can’t fight them, there is nothing I can do,” he told the Observer.

“I don’t really like the embarrassment and I have already made up my mind to move, all I am asking is for the Government to assist me and put me somewhere.

I would appreciate that because I have been living here all my life and is right here I plant my little crops to send my children them to school,” said Moodie, who said he received permission from the Government in the late 70s to occupy the land.

He has since planted several coconut, ackee, mango and other trees on the property, and sells the fruits to his neighbours and restaurants.

Moodie, whose face was a canvas of distress yesterday, said that he has related his dilemma to the developers from the Housing Agency of Jamaica – the agency responsible for the project – and that arrangements have been made to have him relocated.

His only problem is that he will be starting over his life in Font Hill district in St Elizabeth, a place he has never been before. Moodie was born on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston and spent most of his life in the capital city.

“What am I going to do? They have the handle and I have the blade. I don’t mind going there ’cause I have to survive. I just hope that I will be assisted in building a good home for my wife and my children,” he said, adding that he will be visiting the proposed relocation site on Friday.

In an address, Minister of Water and Housing Dr Horace Chang said the housing complex, scheduled to be completed in 2010, will have a target market of young professionals, seeking an “affordable home” in the Corporate Area.

The units cost $8.75 million for inner lots, while end lots will fetch some $9.25 million.

However, residents of the community fear that the development may invite persons of unscrupulous character into their peaceful space.

“I don’t mind the development really, ’cause it will put some more value on my house. I just don’t want them to bring in criminals to come take over our community. $9.5 million is a whole heap of money and these criminals have it. They are not staying in the ghettos, they are moving uptown,” said a male resident.

The residents also pointed out that proper sewage treatment will have to be put in place for the new complex as raw sewage from the community currently flows into a nearby gully, causing an overbearing stench at nights.