Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill has again made it clear that squatters who are occupying land along Independence Boulevard in Albouystown will have to vacate the government reserves and make way for the government’s $1.4 Billion enhancement project

Meeting with some of the affected residents at his office yesterday, Minister Edghill reminded them that Independence Boulevard is a government reserve and permission was never granted to build on the land, although some have occupied the area for decades.

“I am laying down some clear principles, the land that you are dwelling on belongs to the state, it is Government reserve, whether you are here 30 years, 40 years, 50 years. Consult with any lawyer in the country, or you can take a firm of lawyers, nobody can get prescriptive rights on Government reserve, you can get prescriptive rights from your family land,” the Minister made clear.

While some persons have already moved from the area, the Minister met with the others to find out why they have not yet moved although they were ordered to do so.

Some made it known to the Minister that they had no place go.

 In response, he said there is not much the government can do other than provide lands for them to build on.

“I am not offering anybody no money, nothing as an inducement to move, fair enough, the human factor is that people were living there because they did not have any land, nowhere to go, now, you apply for your place to move, and they are factors in moving and when that time comes and you have to move, I am not offering anybody inducement to move, but if there is assistance that is required, whether it is the truck or workmen to move the material and be re-erected wherever, we will try to see what can be accommodated,” a statement from the Minister’s office quoted him as saying.

The Minister made clear that the project will move on without hindrance.

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