Dear Editor,
It has long since been a problem in this developing country of ours, that is, the erection of illegal structures on Government reserves. They have built such structures on main intersections and on the highway itself, some of these protruding on to the public thoroughfare. This cannot be allowed and the practice must end now! Our roads, highways and other such passageways must be free from any encumbrance. There must be a free flow of traffic and pedestrians along our nation’s roads.
This same lack of respect for Government reserves has caused us the festering problem of squatting. This was the first form of illegal occupancy of State lands to take shape in this country. The aim – occupy any available space there is, put up a shack, and then turn again and say “there is no place for me to live”. Soon after illegal shanties began going up like wildfire. To this day squatting is still a major problem in urban areas.
The setting up of structures at the side of, or on the road itself, comes under the caption of “we want to earn a living,” or commonly put, it’s all in the “big hustle” – a roadside hustle, as the Minister puts it. I am talking about permanent stalls on Government property. It ranges from tuck shops to roadside pubs even dancehalls and drinking spots, it is all happening here in the urban areas!
I must pause here to mention that I am not speaking about the itinerant vendor who temporarily sells his produce from the back of his truck or cart. This in my estimation should be allowed, once he sells his stuff and leaves within reasonable time. Everyone is entitled to earn a living. However, for those permanent structures, there is a definite no!
These obstacles referred to earlier are not limited to squatting and outdoor stalls but extend to old cars, derelict machinery and other scrap metal left at the side of the road. These impede the movement of traffic as well as endanger the lives of pedestrians. Navigating our roadways becomes a nightmare in such circumstances.
This nonsense has to stop, we cannot allow our thoroughfares to be overrun by these illegal structures or persons who do not want to be covered under the law when it comes to decent and orderly town and country planning rules. The time to act is now. I say now that we are in the formative years of our town and country planning, it is opportune that we address these issues now! Not tomorrow when it has already become a cancerous tumour.
The political axe grinders are already at it making out a case for those found on the wrong side of the law, they are touting the usual case that these persons are trapped in poverty so there are no other alternatives. Well, to be in poverty and to be lawless at the same time is not offering a solution, what they are doing is just making a bad situation worse.
Therefore, my address to them is either you comply or have these structures broken down. The Government is not obliged to wait until these persons feel pleased to take their structures down, certainly not! This is a matter for Government to act swiftly to get this matter under control.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
