We are all imperfect citizens being led by imperfect leaders in an imperfect world. As a result, we have created laws and regulations to maintain order, protect citizens and to provide all citizens with a level and fair “playing field”.
Two weeks ago, I was very disturbed by three articles published in THE NATION newspaper. Two of the articles carried stories relating to squatting in The Belle and the other was in relation to the Minister of Housing seeking to amend an act to allow individuals to own Government units.
A squatter is defined as an individual who illegally occupies an abandoned building or a vacant plot of land.
Based on this definition, what these individuals are doing is illegal. There may have been many contributing factors that led to their occupying the land but when all is said and done, their actions are illegal.
In the Thursday, January 10 edition, one resident said: “While they realized that squatting on the land had become out of control, they blamed the Government for not fulfilling its promise to relocate them.”
I find it quite disturbing that they see their illegal activity as “out of control” and not as wrong or immoral. I also find it quite shocking that they blame the Government for not helping them after they broke the law. Now if the Government did promise to relocate them, they would be rewarding them for their illegal activities.
The lady went on to say: “People wanted land to build houses, so they started building.”
Okay! So it seems like we should just act based on our feelings? Honestly, I wouldn’t mind driving and owning a C-Class Mercedes, so I feel I should just stop by Simpson Motors and take up one and drive it away.
Most Sundays, I read the SUNDAY SUN while having lunch – it’s just something I like to do. Last Sunday an article headlined Govt Eyes Land For Squatters spoiled my lunch. I cannot believe that my Government is taking my money to find or build homes to house people who have and are still breaking the law.
Something is wrong here. Something is seriously wrong with this equation. Am I the only one that sees this solution as ungodly, unfair and immoral? My grandmother once told me: “If you do the crime, you should do the time.” It seems like it should now read: “If you do the crime and do it long enough, you will be rewarded.”
Minister Michael Lashley, I am letting you know that I do not support your action to reward these persons with new homes.
What about those people who erected illegal structures on other people’s land and had them bulldozed? Why didn’t you offer them better accommodation?
If you go ahead with your planned action, maybe others will learn from the squatters and set up their own structures on someone else’s property and hopefully be relocated to Vuemont. I am sure they would love that.
Minister, in your contribution to the discussion in Parliament on illegal extensions made to Government units, you basically said that even though their actions were illegal, once it is good for business, leads to business development, builds community spirit and employs people, it is acceptable. You elaborated by saying: “Since people couldn’t afford to rent houses or rooms on the private market, they used their initiative to make their families comfortable.”
If the above arguments are grounds for breaking the law, then we should just close down all our courts and throw the Constitution in the garbage.
What message are we sending our children? How am I as a teacher to go into my classroom and teach right from wrong and the importance of rules when our leaders are setting bad examples?
This squatting problem has been going on for too many years. These issues aren’t a Democratic Labour Party or Barbados Labour Party problem; it’s a leadership problem. These are challenging and complicated situations to handle but if they had beem dealt with at the start, we wouldn’t have these problems now.
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth Youth ambassador.
