The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has committed to helping the residents of Six Men’s, St Peter as they attempt to solve issues surrounding ownership of the lands on which they live.
Leader of the Opposition, attorney Ralph Thorne KC said the party made the commitment after meeting with residents as part of the Community Connections programme last Saturday.
The seaside community is a stone’s throw away from the Pendry Hotel which is under construction. When the $100 million project is completed it is expected to comprise 74 ocean front rooms and suites, 46 private residences, a spa, fitness centre, kids club and marina with 111 berths.
Thorne said after the walkabout there was a lot of “insecurity” among residents.
“This is a part of the controversial lands and a lot of the residents here are not sure as to their status in relation to title and that is something we have undertaken to investigate on their behalf so that they can have some security of tenure on these lands,” Thorne said.
“We are not only interested at this time in voting, but we are interested in doing something tangible for the people who live here so that will be a part of our mission going forward, to ensure that the question of title to these lands is resolved.”
The political leader of the party said they would be writing letters to the Ministry of Housing and Lands to get some clarity on the title deeds because people were entitled to know their status.
“What is outstanding is that a lot of them have been here for 30, 40, 50 years; and if somebody is on lands for 30, 40, 50 years, they should not be insecure in relation to their tenure, so we are going to investigate that.
“As I said, beyond the issue of voting and registration, we want to ensure that these people have some security of tenure on the lands, and that they should not continue to be squatters in the indefinite future, but that they should become landowners.”
Some of the people who built their homes there are also squatting and residents are not sure if they will be required to move.
He said after that process they would return to the community.
Wearing a hat with the slogan “Value Your Vote”, Thorne explained the Community Connections programme was two-pronged – connecting with the people and ensuring they were on the voters’ list.
The DLP has been at the hand of successive 30-0 defeats at the polls. Thorne, who crossed the floor in February, said at one of his media conferences this year that the party would be ready whenever the bell was rung.
He was joined by resident Pastor Lynroy Scantlebury, a former independent candidate, who said although they could feel the frustration of the Six Men’s residents, the reception was “tremendous” and the issue of land ownership there should be at the forefront of government’s agenda. On previous visits to Six Men’s by the NATION, residents indicated their frustration and lack of knowledge about the rapid development taking place around them. In recent times, there was also temporary displacement as changes were made to the main road in their community.
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