Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is also Parliamentary Representative for the North Central Windward constituency which includes Georgetown, has made it clear that absolutely no squatting will be allowed to take place on lands which have been reclaimed as part of the Sea Defence work taking place in Georgetown.
Speaking on NBC’s Face to Face programme last Wednesday, the Prime Minister said any structures erected on the reclaimed land between the properties already located in the area and the shore line where the Sea Defences have been put in, will be removed.
“We reclaimed some lands when we did the sea defenses, I have made it plain already. You know there is a portion between the sea defense and where persons have their property… I don’t want anybody go and squat there because I am telling you, you will be moved.”
He was adamant adding, “I am not going to have a multimillion dollar project of a sea defense and have people move inside there, putting up shacks along the seawall or adjacent to the seawall, and creating an unsafe zone for people who live there and for resident.”
He stated that the aim is to establish a board walk along the coast and to have it done in an orderly manner.
The EC$25 million Coastal Defence project is funded by the World Bank and comprise sea defense work in Georgetown in the Brownstown and Caratal areas.
The Caratal component of the project stretches northward for about 200 meters from the entrance to the Caratal River and costs EC$11 million.
According to an engineer with the project, eight foot walls were built to prevent waves from encroaching and causing damage to property, and a three-metre wide footpath was constructed.
There are also plans to beautify the length of the seafront to make it more attractive to residents.
Source : The Vincentian /Kenville Horne