The Ministry of Housing says it will be enforcing a strict zero tolerance policy on squatting in Region Three, as it seeks to ensure to regularise those that have already been established.

“The ‘zero tolerance’ campaign on squatting will be forcefully pursued in the coming months to rectify the issue of squatting and remove persons who are illegally occupying government reserves,” Minister Irfaan Ali said recently. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, Ali said there will be no negotiations or compromise on this issue, particularly with squatters who inhabit areas that cannot be regularised. The minister said squatters who are currently occupying the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) reserve in Stanleytown, Plastic City and Skull City, Region Three are critical on the ministry’s agenda. “This year would see a lot of aggression in terms of dealing comprehensively with the issue of squatting,” Ali said, adding that his ministry is also considering formalising an inter-agency task force along with the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the NDIA, the Ministry of Public Works’ Sea Defence Unit and the Regional Administration. The committee will determine strong measures and actions to deal with the issue and will monitor reserves to ensure that squatters do not re-emerge.

In giving an update on the Anna Catherina/Cornelia Ida Sea View squatters’ issue, Ali said all the persons from the Anna Catherina sea defence reserve had visited the ministry and most of them had accepted offers for house lots in the Parfaite/Harmonie Housing Scheme. He said persons who had sold their house lots contacted the ministry and requested a grace period to move. “We are now negotiating and talking with to them and hoping to have that area cleared,” he said.