The Editor, Sir:
There are 2,500,000 acres of land in Jamaica, 1,310,000 acres in wood and ruin and 143,000 acres of government crown land unoccupied. Jamaica has a population of over 2.6 million people and a struggling economy where the growth and development of job opportunities has lessened drastically over the years. Therefore, persons living at and below the poverty line cannot afford to invest money in a piece of land. Hence, the problematic national crisis of squatting is inevitable.
Squatting is the unauthorised occupancy of premises. Squat-ting can be dated back as far as biblical days. However, the earliest detection of squatting in Jamaica after the abolition of slavery in 1834, where many ex-slaves deserted the estates to improve their living conditions and to acquire a sense of independence from their former bosses. With the help of missionaries, large numbers of them purchased small plots of land, while a few squatted on crown lands or land belonging to absentee owners.
large developments
The second cause for squatting is the result of large developments proceeding without simultaneous housing solutions for the low and middle-income earners who will work in those areas. There has been a steady inflow of people from the rural section of Jamaica to the urban part or more developed areas for over a century now. People move for various reasons to improve themselves educationally, financially or to re-establish family bonds. This has resulted in clustered squatter communities, where amenities for a proper standard of living are absent.
Also, the passing of property through family generations is a primary reason for people to occupy land through verbal contract without proper documentation of proof, such as a land title, which leads to confusion and miscalculation.
eradicating squatters
Nevertheless, the procedures by which the Government seeks to eradicate squatters are appalling, degrading and eliminate some of the rights that these people have. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson was criticised for ordering new guidelines to regulate the ways in which government agencies go about evicting squatters. This statement was after the Urban Development Cooperation accompanied by members of the security forces removed 28 illegal structures in Roaring River, St. Ann near Dunns River, the Tourism capital of Ocho Rios on June 28, 2001. These houses were being destroyed by heavy equipment (bulldozer and tractors) in the early morning. Homes were broken as families pondered where to go next. Furniture, clothes, food etc were destroyed. Yes, they are squatters, but does that give the Government of Jamaica the right to take away the right of the people to protect their family and the right to health.
eviction notices
It can be agreed that these
persons were given adequate eviction notices. However, how realistic is it for a person living beyond the poverty line to move and reside somewhere else? Again, the argument that settlements are set up for squatters does not begin to solve their problems. First, these settlements are not free as expected. These units are being sold for as low as $300,000. To a family that can hardly meet their needs daily, this amount sounds like a tremendous lifetime of saving. Second, squatters normally erect houses in the proximity where an income can be earned, for example, setting up squatter villages near the beach for the economic benefit of fishing.
Undoubtedly, solutions-/recommendations for squatting will need joint efforts by the Government and the private sector to fund such a venture. A system can be created where persons are bonded and allowed to work and pay a comfortable amount for these lands despite their financial status.
low-income settlements
Also, affordable settlements should be built and introduced to the low-income earners with a detailed plan of how they could become owners. Recognition should be given to Habitat for Humanity, which was started in Jamaica by group of local businesses and professional leaders in 1992. They established a plan that offered squatters an alternative. However, more needs to be done where the Government introduces plans similar to that of Habitat for Humanity, where affordable houses are built which will offer persons the right to an adequate standard of living. Simultaneously, persons who legally own properties should be encouraged to improve their properties by showing interest- planting trees, putting fences in place and reporting squatters. Young people should be encouraged to invest in owing land and media coverage be given to highlight the disadvantages of squatting.
I am, etc.,
NICOLA ANDREWS
bop83jm@yahoo.com
Sport Road, Islington P.O.
St. Mary
Via Go-Jamaica
