Rewarding squatting
published: Tuesday | June 8, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WITH REFERENCE to the article carried in The Gleaner 5/6/04 re: the relocation of the Portmore fish vendors. It seems to me one legacy of this Government is the legitimising of squatting. I stand to be corrected but as far as I know these vendors are squatters and as is the case once they have been allowed to build structures on lands not belonging to them, they feel they have a right to remain.

This is evident all over the country and Government drags its feet in dealing with them, therefore when they are asked to remove they put up resistance. The article also states that they would be getting monetary compensation for the replacement of their sheds depending on the size of the structure. So my hard-earned tax dollar will be given to people to compensate them for their loss when in the first place they should not be there.

I will no longer frustrate myself by working hard , denying myself things in order to try and buy a home. I have identified a piece of land in Norbrook which suits my needs and I will start building shortly; after all if they can do it why shouldn't I? If and when the authorities come to remove me I will put up the loudest protest and also demand compensation for harassment.

I am, etc.,

J. MAILLARD

159A Orange Street

Kingston