A resident of Tiger Bay is now homeless and others are facing eviction after businessman Paul James moved to claim a plot of land in the area.
Taxi driver Dennis Caldeira came home and found his home at Rosemary Lane, Tiger Bay dismantled. He was working when his home was being destroyed and upon returning, he was stunned to see all of his belongings on the road.
A distressed Caldeira, who is a father of two, told Stabroek News he had nowhere to sleep for the night and did not know what his next move would be. During a subsequent inventory, he discovered that $78,000, which he had concealed underneath his television, was missing as was a 15 pennyweight gold chain.
Residents were told that James, the owner of Fix-It Hardware, located at Main and Holmes streets, had secured a court order but noted that no documents were shown to them. They voiced their outrage at James’ action. They said many had been living there for years and he could not just come and uproot their homes.
Residents accused James and his employees of trying to intimidate them and many said they received threats from bodyguards associated with James.
One resident said “That’s the type of thing we gah deal with.”
When James arrived at the scene and this newspaper asked him to comment on the situation, he laughed while an associate identified as Otis said, “f**** the media.” The man then went on to threaten a cameraman on site. “Who you videoing? You best don’t put me f***ing thing pun TV or you gonna know what gonna happen!” he told the cameraman.
According to residents, James had been trying to get the land for a long time and even gave money to some of the people residing in Tiger Bay and had promised them $200,000 if they agreed to move. A few of the residents accepted and agreed to move. However, not all of the money was paid and some persons who were persuaded to vacate are still waiting on James to pay the rest.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene, a group of uniformed policemen were dislodging boards that were still affixed to the almost dismantled structure. At least one of them was using the butt of his gun to do so.
When this newspaper attempted to interview the marshal in charge of the dismantling he refused to comment.
One resident said money is the reason so many policemen were on site and a police officer told them that they were paid $20,000 to keep the peace.
Rights activist Mark Benschop, who was present, said he saw the court documents James possessed.
Benschop added, after James found himself in a tight predicament with angry residents he sought his advice and was told to delay his plan and give the people 48 hours to get things in order.
A meeting is scheduled tomorrow at 1 in Tiger Bay with James, Benschop and the affected residents.
