Move the squatters or else !

Residents of Hopewell in Hanover are now in a militant mood as they are demanding that the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) do something about the squatting taking place along the main road leading into the town. This residents’ stance comes against the background of a recent call by the corporation’s enforcement and compliance department to take legal actions against persons who are disregarding ‘cease work’ notices served on them when they are caught building without the proper approval from the corporation.

The residents of Hopewell want to make it clear that unless the HMC does something about the persons who are constructing makeshift buildings to use as businesses along the town’s scenic coastline, especially in proximity to the Old Steamer Beach, they will have no choice but to take the matter into their own hands.

Derrick Wright, president of the Hopewell Citizens’ Association, told THE WESTERN STAR that his organisation has been in discussions with the HMC about the squatting problem, which dates as far back as 2015.

“We spoke to the then mayor of Lucea, when the first two shacks were constructed and a container dropped along the beach, and he advised us that funds have been approved for the removal

of the container, and that the squatting in that area would be controlled,” said Wright. “It (the squatting along the main road) is spoiling the aesthetics of the town, and presenting a potential health problem.”

With some nine shacks now under construction in the same area, the residents say they are calling on their current councillor, who has been in office for over a year, to demand action at the HMC.

“We cannot take it anymore. The Municipal Corporation must play their part and put a stop to this unhealthy and unsightly situation,” said Wright.

When contacted about the situation, Lucea’s mayor, Councillor Sheridan Samuels, told THE WESTERN STAR that he was not aware of the arrangement with the previous administration in the corporation, but he said that now that the matter has been brought to his attention, something will be done about it forthwith.

“The residents of Hopewell can rest assured that the matter will be dealt with immediately,” the mayor said.