LAST FRIDAY’S It Matters To Maria column attracted much attention from online readers.
It told the story of Clyde Denny, who gave up his home and land at Kings Gap, Eagle Hall, St Michael, more than 16 years ago so Government could construct the Eagle Hall Market.
He was relocated to a three-bedroom home in Passage Gardens, in the same parish, which was supposed to have been transferred to his ownership by the Ministry of Housing and Lands. But after all these years the retiree still has no title deed to the property.
Here is a sample of the responses from readers who sympathised with the elderly man’s plight.
Glen Theron: We work and on retirement this is the disdain we have for pensioners who were so hospitable as to give up their properties? Why are we all treating our pensioners this way? Society owes it to assist this gentleman. All of our priests/pastors, social advocates, the unions, the people who speak loud, need to get up with one voice and help this man. It is not his fault. He was asked to relocate and he complied.
Victor Lashley: I can’t believe this article. It made me sick in the stomach. It’s a game not bureaucracy that the Government is playing with the senior citizens. Do you know should this gentleman die before this mess is sorted out, his family gets nothing?
Wendy St Hill: And some persons still cannot understand why people are not voting??!!! Disgusting!!
Cheryl Rameau: This is ridiculous! Sixteen years and still no deed or title to the house. He should sue the Government, or is that not allowed in Bim? Here in the US, an action could be filed and this would’ve been resolved long before this. Shame on Bim!
Catherine Farah: He is living under stress for more than 16 years. Hope and pray that he will finally get the deed for this home which was promised to him and it is his home. He gave up his other home for the Government so this should have been settled years ago.
Sodi: The house doesn’t legally belong to him. If he dies, who gets the property? Since he is neither renter nor owner, then I assume no solid waste tax bill for him. How many other situations like this exist? Why do I get the feeling there are more out there? They probably haven’t contacted the Nation, and may not have money for lawyers.
This is one of the problems with Barbados. It is truly an inefficient place. In other countries heads would roll for something like this, and someone would be joining the ranks of the unemployed. Not on the paradise island Barbados.
Frank Fowler: Wow, Government is slower than a spilled barrel of molasses.
Helena L Clarke: Wow, to be in limbo all these years, not knowing if the house is really going to be yours.
Shirley Weekes: This is sickening. That poor man must be stressed to high heaven. Someone needs to be held accountable in the Ministry of Housing for this situation and get it sorted ASAP. Ridiculous!
