Hope for squatters

OVER 100 SQUATTERSin a St John community are hoping their dreams of owning land there will become a reality.

On Sunday evening, residents of Welch Village and surrounding districts turned up at Victory Wesleyan Holiness Church to a town hall meeting organised by parliamentary representative and Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Charles Griffith.

It was to make good on promises during the recent General Election in which Griffith, of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), won the seat that had been held by the Democratic LabourParty since 1958.

Ten cents per square foot

He told them they would be able to purchase the land at ten cents per square foot, with Government footing the remainder of the bill. Residents were asked to complete a Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act form which, after submission to the ministry, would expedite the process.

Myrico Morris, of the Welch/Bath Land Community Group, said land ownership was among the pressing problems in the community.

“We have attended previous meetings with the previous administration who have also promised similar notions. So we are willing and ready to submit the forms to be able to regularise the status, and to also go forward and have our own names placed on property.

“It wasn’t done with the last administration; hopefully it will be done with this one. But either way, the people of St John really want this process completed,” he said. (TG)

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