For the past two nights, we've been reporting on the 12 squatters who are being evicted from a parcel of private property in the Gungulung area. They
occupy six acres of riverfront property – which has belonged to private owners for more than five years.
The government stepped in to try and offer them another piece of land in Cotton Tree – but many we spoke to didn't want it. Instead they wanted
government to acquire the land – parcel it off to them – and then compensate the private landowner – maybe even with land in Cotton Tree.
Unfortunately – that's not how it works; Government can only acquire land for a public purpose – and in this case, the eviction is already in motion.
But, just say the word eviction in Gungulung where there are scores of squatters – and it causes hysteria: everyone fears they're the ones being
evicted. And that misinformation is what the attorney Steve Perrera has been trying to defuse. He's the lawyer for the private landowner and today he
spoke to us at his office about the eviction:…
Steve Perrera - Attorney for Private Landowner
"We just recently had a meeting with those 12 individuals, we've discussed with them and explained to them the client's position in respect of the
landowner. And we've agreed to give them and extended period of time to vacate the private property. They have until the 15th of May to vacate. The
landowner is as I indicated, is working along with the people. They're providing assistance to those individuals if they vacate prior to the 15th of
next month by giving them a sum of 1,000 dollars to assist them in their relocation. We just wanted to clarify for everyone that the area of concern is
only that area to the top that abbots the new Chetumal street. It doesn't continue all the way to the canal, it extend that far."
King has undertaken to fast track the land leases for the residents who are being evicted. For the avoidance of doubt, they are: Louis Avilez, Rosa
Aspinal, Consuelo Urbina, Wilson Castro, Wilson Peraza, Juan Garcia, Freddie Lozano, Amicar Deras, Rosa Lopez, Jose Gilberto, Doris Massan, and Jenny
Giron.
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