Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Controversy is building at one of the Operation PRIDE (Programme for Settlement and Integrated Development Enterprises) developments, run by the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC).

Residents and the operators of the development are at odds over the sale of lots at the Whitehall Estate housing scheme located in the resort town of Negril, Westmoreland.

Some residents of the housing scheme are accusing the NHDC of reneging on sale agreements in 2002 when the lands were to be sold for $350,000 to $500,000. The residents are also accusing the corporation of seizing these lots from them and selling them to individuals, such as returning residents and overseas investors, who can pay a higher price.

The Government entity is, however, refuting their claims, saying the lands are being seized as a result of the residents' failure to pay their mortgages.

This is not the first time there has been a bone of contention between the residents and the Government over the lands in Westmoreland.

In December of 1993, residents rioted after the Government decided to remove them from the land. After the smoke cleared and the residents and the Government sat down to speak, an agreement was made for them to procure the land cheaply.

Sonia Walters, who has been living on the development since it was an informal settlement, says in late 2002, the residents and the Government had a meeting where they were instructed to pay what they had. However, she did not receive a contract.

"Dem say me fi pay $378,680 when mi start an arrangement inna 2002. First, mi give a 20 per cent downpayment and afta dat mi woulda pay $7,500 every month," said Walters while presenting her receipt.

Increase in the prices

Fast-forward to late 2006 and Walters says that, after another meeting, residents began receiving letters telling them of the increase in the price for the land - jumping to between $650,000 and $750,000.

"Even people whe did pay the three hundred and odd thousand now haffi pay the extra."

However, Joseph Shoucair, acting managing director at the NHDC, is relating a different story. He said the lands which have been seized are from persons who have been delinquent in their payments over a period of time. The increase in price, according to Mr. Shoucair, is intended to raise money to complete infrastructure in the scheme.

"We gave them lots, say 10 years ago, at a preferential price," he said. "Where those persons have not paid that price over the 10 years, NHDC said 'Now look, we cannot keep you in that lot and you have not paid that preferential price you were given 10 years ago. We are therefore giving you 'x' number of months to paythe price. If you don't do that, we are going to sell the lot on the open market, and that's basically what happened."

Checks of some residents' documents by The Gleaner, however, revealed that they had been given a 25-year period to pay the money.

The lots, which have been placed on the open market, are in the price range of $650,000-$750,000. Checks by The Gleaner have also revealed that residents and non-residents with cash have received preferential treatment during the sale of lots. Shoucair, however, said only residents of Jamaica were entitled to the lots.

A question, however, arises as to the purpose of Operation PRIDE, which was designated by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to provide housing solutions for low-income individuals and civil servants. Operation PRIDE was also formulated with the purpose of regularising informal settlements such as Whitehall Estate.

Mr. Shoucair, however, said Operation PRIDE is not going against its mandate when it sells lots on the open market.

"PRIDE was not designed to give away land; it was designed to provide lands at reasonable cost, but you must pay the price."

Calling the approach "pragmatic", Mr. Shoucair said the residents have been given adequate time to pay for the land.

The residents are calling for a meeting with the NHDC to discuss the issues as they believe they are being fleeced out of what was promised to them.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com