Extreme lunacy from selected squatters and Aubrey Norton

Dear Editor,
Aubrey Norton’s theatrics transcends amusement. I read that he has threatened legal action against the Government, on behalf of those whose houses were destroyed. Specifically, he is referring to the ‘Eccles-to-Great Diamond Highway Project’ that is about to upend selected Mocha squatters. To Norton and his few advocates, I have a few telling remarks.
First, I ask that we all read up on the tenure of former Minister of Housing (Under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Changer), Valerie Patterson-Yearwood. At one time, her campaign was to ‘deal severely’ with all squatters. In very definitive terms (and the footage is quite accessible) she used to repeatedly delineate the illegality of squatting, referencing on those occasions its unethical and unhealthy spin-offs So, I am most aghast that some people are crying foul and racism.
Further, I recall, and quite vividly too, that in October 25, 2017, one local columnist reminded the nation that “Every time the Government (APNU/AFC) moved against squatters, there was a big hue and cry.” That article explained that “Squatting had become a means of land grabbing … (as) occupying reserves (was) in the hope of being regularised, in which persons were hoping that they could be economically empowered.” At that juncture, many squatters were protesting in front of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, claiming that they were sent notices “…to remove from Government reserves.” What was quite telling is the fact that even back then, it was well-established that “…this was not the Government’s problem. It is their, the squatters’ problem. They should not have been on the Government reserve in the first place.”
The columnist advocated too that “Squatting should not be rewarded. If people were rewarded for squatting, then the practice will become a ruse for persons who want to grab lands. They will believe that in order to stop their illegal occupation of land, the Government will be forced to give them new lands.
Then how about what happened in February 2018, when the former Region Two Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson, adamantly maintained that “… squatting on Government’s reserves was illegal and (thus) called on the public to co-operate and to desist from the illegal act.” This position from Hopkinson emanated after much controversy on social media about a measure he took to temporarily impound materials that were to be used by a Jibb family to construct a house allegedly on Government’s reserves.
Details showed that Hopkinson refused permission to build a house on a Government reserve and noted that even after this refusal and despite his warning, that the individual still began to construct a permanent structure on a reserve at Jibb, Essequibo Coast.
He explained that “I warned the family approximately seven times that they cannot squat; instead, I encouraged them to apply for a house lot…in fact I told them that I will help them during the process, but they still continued.” Hopkinson as we all recall, impounded the building materials to bring an end to the illegal project.
Editor, I need not prolong this issue. However, I make a big point of emphasising how commodious and compassionate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government and their officers have been in this venture. The fact sheet is clean, comprehensive and candid. It shows that “To date, 28 families (from the said area) have already been relocated from the dam to nearby residential areas and have rebuilt new homes through Government compensation. However, seven squatters refused what they were offered, and instead requested exorbitant amounts to remove. We need to bear in mind that despite being offered land and compensation, ranging from $3.4 million to $14.3 million, the resistant seven squatters continued to demand as much as $100 million to $150 million each to remove from the unregularised area.” Unimaginable! Plus, it is vain. The law must be upheld. What Norton is doing is simply leading a few rebels, ignorant of the law, and thus susceptible to being victims of their own folly and sentiments. He should do better as he knows better.
So, “… despite being given several months’ notice to remove from the State’s reserve, and despite the Housing Ministry’s offer to have squatters relocated to a regularised housing area, among other benefits, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has threatened that legal action will be taken against the Government on behalf of those whose houses were destroyed.
I ask: “Who are fools?” “Who are the silly ones?” “Who will lose in the end?” What Government should do is to put a timeframe for its compensation package.

Yours truly,
H Singh