THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM very disturbed with the report Thursday about the Negril Riverside community. First of all it would be better to title the situation as the Negril Riverside squatter's area. I know as a fact that these people have received several notices over the years, none of which have been followed properly. However, turning a blind eye has encouraged others to come and squat.
The negatives of the situation are twofold:
With no toilet facilities, the squatters directly impact the river and our coral reefs which are so vital to mitigate the impacts of storms and hurricanes; and turning a blind eye to squatting is endorsing the propagation of poverty.
The Negril Chamber of Commerce sent the then Prime Minister Honourable Michael Manley a proper plan to develop Nonpareil Road with small shops to offer jobs for the poorer persons. We have also lobbied repeatedly for a fruits and vegetables market for Negril, so that many resourceful persons can earn a living honestly.
Furthermore if Negril wants to establish itself as a real tourism area, the vision of nappies flopping in the wind by the riverside, as well as the deplorable living conditions of the squatters, cannot be seen as a plus for tourism. It is sad to note that nothing had been done for so long, that the squatters did not on the whole take the notice seriously, that no houses have been planned in the surrounding areas of Negril for the very poor, that the demolition occurred so close to Christmas, but it certainly needed to be done, and I applaud the Negril Green Island Local Planning Authority for doing its job!
I am, etc.,
Mrs. SYLVIE GRIZZLE
Negril
