Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

Cordell Papley, her common-law husband, Rohan Johnson, and their four children stand at a section of a building where they once called home. The building was one of several houses demolished by the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) on the eve of Tropical Storm Gustav in White Hall district, Negril, Westmoreland. - photos by Tashieka Mair

WESTERN BUREAU:

Their homes were demolished on the eve of what turned out to be a very destructive Tropical Storm Gustav. But if that were not bad enough, several families of White Hall district in Negril are now uncertain about whether their children will be able to attend school this week.

For the more than four families, some of whom have lived on the same plot of land in the community for more than a decade, it came as a shock when they received notices from the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) two weeks ago that they had to relocate or their homes would be demolished.

However, having had previous discussions with the authorities at the NHDC and with some of the occupants possessing documents indicating that they were paying for the land, they remained.

They all had a rude awakening on Wednesday afternoon when a team of men, accompanied by the police, visited their homes to carry out the demolition exercise.

Cordell Papley and her common-law husband, Rohan Johnson, have been living on a plot of land for 12 years. They have four children all under the age of 10. The rear section of their house was destroyed.

Surprise notice

Papley explained that the removal notice came as a surprise as she had paid $415,995.58 towards purchasing the land.

"When we went to the office to pay the money they told us that they don't want our money cause the land was sold to someone in Canada and I have to move," she said.

"We have spoken to a lawyer, the Member of Parliament and even go as far as to write to the Public Defender, and everybody saying they will get back to us."

The couple told The Gleaner that they were roughed up and pushed out of their house, and watched helplessly as the team of men armed with crowbars and other tools destroyed their home.

Soreta Simms, a single mother of three, and Owen Brissett, a single father of two, were not at their homes when the demolition took place.

"I come home come si my two lickle youth dem a cry dem stand up beside the mash up house," said Brissett.

"Right now mi nuh too sure how school a go because dem uniform dem wet up and some tear up."

Simms presented payment receipts for the land on which she has been living for the past four years. She said she had paid over $260,000 and had an outstanding balance of over $500,000. Simms added that upon receiving the notice to remove she visited the NHDC's office and was told that she needed to pay the entire balance if she is to remain on the land.

Scatter children

"It bring tears to my eyes to know that I have to be separated from my three children because I have to live with my mother while my children scatter, living with different aunts," a traumatised Simms said. "If it was me alone I could deal with it but I have two children going to high school and I don't even know what to do now."

The families said that thanks to the help of neighbours, friends and families they had somewhere to protect themselves from Tropical Storm Gustav but it appears that their sorrows are just beginning.

Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland Dr Wykeham McNeill, said he did not wish to comment extensively on the matter until he spoke to the families. However he told The Gleaner that he was not aware that the demolition exercise would take place.

Not thoughtful

"I'm a little concerned that in light of a pending natural disaster they would still carry out this sort of activity. It was not a thoughtful thing to have done," the MP said.

He added that he would be meeting with Minister of Housing, Dr Horace Chang about the matter.

Yesterday Chang said that he was awaiting a detailed report from the NHDC before commenting on the incident.

He described the timing of the demolition as 'coincidentally unfortunate' but said that once the law was adhered to, then the NHDC acted appropriately.

"I suspect that the persons are part of a group who are squatting on the land. If they were given sufficient time to remove and did not, the law has to take its course," Chang said.

He advised families with a legitimate case to take the matter to court.

tashieka.mair@gleanerjm.com

This is all that was left of Owen Brissett's (left) house which he occupied in White Hall district, Negril, with his two young children. The building was demolished by the NHDC last Wednesday.