Saying they are not “refugees,” some of the persons who are squatting at Success, on the East Coast of Demerara, have ruled out relocating to the Graham’s Hall Primary School, which is being prepared by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to temporarily house them.
Some squatters told Stabroek News that they are looking for a long-term solution, hence their decision to continue to occupy the lands despite ongoing efforts by state authorities to get them to vacate.
During an interview with Stabroek News, Director General of the CDC Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Craig yesterday stated that a total of 48 beds have been provided to accommodate persons at the school.
However, he explained that if the need arises, the CDC would make provisions to accommodate more persons.
Craig said the squatters will stay based on the demand but alternative arrangements will be made either personally or otherwise in future.
He said food is also being provided by the CDC.
Asked how many squatters were being housed at the school, Craig said two persons came and made enquiries but they had not yet returned.
During a visit to Graham’s Hall Primary School, Stabroek News was told that there were approximately four classrooms already prepared for the Success squatters.
A kitchen situated on the ground floor was equipped with a stove and several cooking utensils that were provided by the CDC. However, no squatters were there.
Over 48 persons, including children, are occupying the lands at Success, which has been flooded to prepare for cane cultivation.
“When school reopen, where will we go?” Pinkey Benjamin, one of the persons squatting at Success, asked this newspaper.
The woman, who said she intends to remain in the flooded fields, also voiced her fear that if they were to leave the area, officials may bulldoze their homes.
Benjamin said that she and others were told that flood relief would be brought to Success, but instead the supplies were taken to the primary school.
The woman disclosed that they were informed by Prime Minister Mark Phillips that two tents were going to be provided to accommodate the men and women sleeping on the dry plots of land at Success, since most persons who were affected by the flooding were relocating there.
Benjamin, who stated that she had applied to the Housing Ministry since 2006 for a house lot, called on the officials to help resolve the situation.
Benjamin pointed out to this newspaper where the residents were currently sleeping in a small tent-like structure.
When asked about accessing potable water for use, she said a kind resident close by provides water to them. She added that they usually combine monies in order to cook one big pot of food, which is then shared.
Yolanda Williams, a mother of three whose home has been affected by the flooding, was seen with her children searching for a place to bathe after they came in to contact with the contaminated floodwater.
Williams, who stated that she had nowhere else to go, said the flood was preventing her from entering her home.
She said she and others were forced to sleep under a tent on solid land in the area.
During this newspaper’s visit, she was tying a hammock to give her children the opportunity to rest.
The mother noted that she applied for a piece of land in the year 2014 but so far she has had no luck despite her frequent checks with the ministry.
Another person, who gave his name only as Larry, stated that he too will not be relocating to the school.
The man, who was very vocal about his position, stated that the authorities needed to bring the shelter to the area they were squatting on. The man said he was proud of the home he built, and shared his personal belief that the treatment they were receiving was “a political and racist punishment.”
He said he would not give up.
Many of those this newspaper spoke with emphasised that they were not squatters. Abigail Baker, who was injured when squatters were shot with pellets during a confrontation with police, also said she will not be moving.
Baker, who has since taken to sleeping in a tent at Success, said during the CDC’s visit to the area they took down the names of the persons residing there who were affected by the flood.
Lucy Moore, a mother of six, said the squatters were only asking for the land and a fixed timeframe to allow them to pay for the land.
The woman noted that she was fighting for a legacy to leave for her children.
Another added that what they were facing was unfair and unjust. He questioned why fight the residents to leave the land after they have invested money and energy into building a home of their own. He said the housing authorities were selling the residents “a dream.”
According to the CDC, those affected by the flooding at Success can immediately contact the National Emergency Management System (NEMS) on 226-1114, 623-1700 and 600-7500 and make their way to the Graham’s Hall Primary School, Cummings Lodge, ECD, where they will be housed.
