Persons still squatting on the land owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) at Success are still against taking up temporary shelter at the Graham’s Hall Primary School.
While maintaining that they were not “land grabbers” as they are being labelled by some, the squatters told this newspaper that they were regular citizens who are in need of permanent placement.
On Wednesday, in an attempt to make themselves more comfortable, some of the women in the East Coast settlement took the initiative to begin digging a drain to clear the stagnant water out from the inner parts of the land.
They stated that the move resulted in a standoff between them and police, who informed them that they could be arrested for obstruction.
They, however, complained about the stench from the stagnant water, which they said was unhealthy even as they noted that they needed to drain the land as more snakes were now in the area. The land has been flooded as part of efforts to prepare it for sugar cane cultivation. To resolve the standoff over the land, one residents suggested that authorities survey a portion of land “where everyone can fit and supply it to us.”
When this newspaper asked the squatters if they intended to take up temporary residence at Graham’s Hall Primary anytime soon, they all said no, before adding that they believe that it is a plot to get them off the land and subsequently destroy their homes.
They further disclosed that the individuals staying at the shelter at the school provided by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) were not persons from Success, except for one individual.
Stabroek News observed that some persons were continuing to build on the disputed land.
Meanwhile, as of yesterday the total number of persons who are currently residing at Graham’s Hall Primary, remained at five.
The CDC on Wednesday disclosed that five squatters from the Success area were being housed at the Graham’s Hall Primary School.
In a statement, it said those at the school had taken the decision to be temporarily accommodated after being displaced from the squatting area.
It was emphasised that strict COVID-19 protocols were being enforced and meals, hygienic products, sleeping and other needed facilities are being provided.
