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Timehri North residents chide Minister over relocation plans
… To be removed in phases
By Zena Henry
Residents of Timehri North did not back down on Wednesday last when they finally met with Minister of Works Robeson Benn who they have chided for what they perceive to have been his deciding the fate of their community without engaging residents in any plans pertaining to their relocation.
Residents demand answers from Minister Benn as he is escorted to his vehicle by police ranks.
The Minister went to the East Bank Demerara community with the hopes of meeting residents to relate information about the government’s intention to remove those settled in proximity to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, in order to facilitate its expansion. He was met by frustrated residents who say they are “fed up of going to bed at night and waking up in the morning with the possibility of being evicted” from the homes they have dedicated their time and energy to building.
Benn held a meeting at the airport’s Works Branch, but some of the residents were locked out. This infuriated those outside since they were not allowed to hear the Minister’s information. After hours of waiting on the street, residents demanded to know from the Minister – who was being escorted to his vehicle by several police ranks – what was happening with their community.
Surrounded by the crowd of concerned residents, Benn related that residents and their homes will be moved in phases. Without a definite answer as to when this will commence, he explained that the government is working towards removing homeowners in the immediate path of the airport’s expansion first. He stated that the government is aware of the residents’ concerns and is thus seeking to work with them.
“The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) construction project has to go forward to facilitate the development, not simply of the airport or of any individual person, but to facilitate the continued development of the country.
“The airport development is not simply an issue which relates to the airport in itself, we are aware that there are many who live around here that also depend on the airport for their livelihood. If the airport does not develop and cannot be improved, then the area, too, will not develop to full potential,” Benn said.
The Minister continued that the government has a list of over 300 squatters, but this caused uproar from residents who insisted that they are not squatters.
He, however, rephrased his assertion saying that, “plans are in the making to rearrange the occupancy on the airport, on government land, in a phased way. Those persons who were not met with today (Wednesday), will be met with in the next two weeks to discuss plans for phase two”.
Benn said those who are in the most critical area for the construction; phase one movers, will be dealt with. Phase two and three will be met later, because their arrangements will take longer.
Residents, though not convinced, say they have noted the government’s information and plans. They say, however, that Timehri North has been one of the first communities to be developed on that end of the Bank. The residents insist that if they are not treated fairly in the plans to be moved and compensated, then they will remain and will demand the same treatment meted out to the settlers of Khali Road, whose community was years ago regularized with land titles.
The residents were calling on the government for some time, to meet with the community, since there was much talk about “removing squatters” from the area. They said that those who stand to be directly affected were not being consulted. They further maintain that if all necessary requirements for their removal are met, “the community will not be moved.”
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