Anger in Cooper’s Pen

COOPER’S PEN, Trelawny — Residents here whose homes were demolished on August 11 say they are being forced to choose between accepting relocation grants they have not yet received and moving their tents and belongings temporarily to a site in New Town, Salt Marsh, for two weeks, with no clear indication of what will happen afterwards. The residents, who have lived in tents since their homes were demolished, say they had been told by government officials to leave by today, Saturday, September 19. They have opted for the grants but insist they will not move until the money is deposited into their accounts.

The Government’s response to the demolition initially included humanitarian assistance for approximately 44 affected families, with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and other agencies providing emergency support. Among those affected are Shane Ricketts, Moesha Richardson, and a woman who identified herself only as Tia. Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer that he had signed for a $500,000 grant but would not leave before receiving it.

Richardson explained that residents were given the choice of accepting the grant or moving to the temporary location for two weeks. She questioned the practicality of relocating families for such a short period without a plan for their accommodation afterwards. Shane Ricketts, Cooper’s Pen resident whose house was demolished last month.

“Two weeks from now I still cannot find somewhere to live,” Richardson said. She said although she would accept the grant, she would have preferred a more permanent housing solution from the Government. Richardson said Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness had previously given residents the impression that they would receive assistance with housing and eventually have an opportunity to acquire land.

Following Holness’s August 28 visit to Cooper’s Pen, the Government announced that land had been identified for eligible residents and that the intervention would include serviced lots and relocation grants. Holness said the lots would form part of a properly planned subdivision with roads, water, and electricity, while beneficiaries would contribute to the cost of the land and utilities according to their circumstances. He said he intended to oversee the process and hoped relocation could begin by December.