Sophia squatters demand land “or no vote”

The move prompted a visit to the community by officials of the Housing Department today, including the Minister responsible for Housing, Annette Ferguson.

Sophia squatters demand land “or no vote”

Some residents in the Sophia community started to claim already allocated government land over the weekend and earlier today, demanding that they be granted house lots or the government could face the possibility of them withholding their votes.

Many of the residents have been converging in an area behind Cummings Lodge, marking off plots and claiming the land as their own.

One woman said although she was allocated land in the area, she was part of the protest in support of her children and youths of the community who do not have land of their own.

The move prompted a visit to the community by officials of the Housing Department today, including the Minister responsible for Housing, Annette Ferguson.

But the visit did little to quell the position of the residents, forcing the Ministry to call an impromptu press conference.

At that press conference, Minister Ferguson explained that the land the residents appear to be claiming would have been previously allocated and there is now a move to put the infrastructure in place. She said persons should desist from “land grabbing” as their concerns will be addressed.

The CEO of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Lelon Saul made an appeal to the residents who are trying to claim the land. He said their squatting could hamper the development of the area and future projects.

Many of the residents have said that they want the central housing and planning authority to immediately address their concerns about land allocation.

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