Cabinet has approved lands for squatters and legitimate homeowners displaced by the construction of the Point Fortin Highway.Oropouche West MP Stacy Roopnarine said Cabinet took the decision to provide lands at Petit Morne, Princes Town, for legitimate homeowners, while squatters will be relocated to Cedar Hill.Roopnarine spoke to the media while visiting Alta Garcia Trace, Siparia, on Tuesday.
"There are three different categories of persons who have to be relocated on the highway...We have the bona fide residents, we have farmers and we have squatters," she said."With respect to the squatters, we are seeking to offer compensation for their structures. One of the things we may have to understand with squatters is that legally they may not be entitled to anything but the State sees it as our responsibility to assist them and help them in their process of relocation.
"We have sought to negotiate with some of the squatters and payments have been made up to $430,000.Roopnarine said bona fide residents are negotiating with Nidco through private treaty arrangements."Cabinet has also approved the lands at Petit Morne to relocate communities."She said 300 people will be relocated and Cabinet has approved 88 people who can be offered lands in the upcoming weeks. If legitimate residents choose to take the lands at Petit Morne, they will have to pay $50,000 for the land.
Roopnarine said the first leg of the highway should open at the end of the month. She said this should create less traffic for the new school term.