St. George's, Grenada: Former Minister for Youth and NNP Caretaker for St. Andrew’s South East Mrs. Emmalin Pierre says it is painful the way that young Debra Phillip of Hope, is being treated by the current administration and states it is unfortunate that she is now the victim of a political game which started years ago.

According to Mrs. Pierre she has never been and will never be an advocate for squatting and believes that the situation now facing the Phillip family is enough to show that politicians must be prepared at all time, whether in government or in opposition, to support the same principles and put people first and not their own political agenda.

She said in an effort to gain political support, members of the NDC while in Opposition encouraged various persons to squat on Government lands and in some cases when they were given notice to move by the previous administration even after being provided with alternative housing, members of the NDC including the current Chairman of the Housing Authority demanded that Government provide the best housing and all other amenities for those concerned. Mrs. Pierre says some squatters must not be more equal than others and believes that Ms. Phillip and her six children should be supported by the Government in acquiring a piece of Government land with the basic facilities where she can live without fear of having to rebuild her home a third time.

Mrs. Pierre is also expressing concern for a family in Moon Shadow Park, Grenville. She said since receiving final notice, that family has not been able to relocate due to financial difficulties nor been able to secure adequate help from the NDC administration. The former Youth Minister cited this as yet another lesson for the need for politicians to be truthful with people at all times regardless of the political consequences.

She recalls that when the New National Party Government made efforts to relocate the same family some years ago they were encouraged by members of the current Government not to cooperate with the authorities. Now she said these same families were given orders to move from the lands by the same individuals who are now unprepared to provide them with adequate support needed. Mrs. Pierre says all she is asking is for the NDC administration to assist all the families in the same way they had advocated that the previous administration should.


New National Party


(The views and opinions expressed in the above article represents those of the writer and not necessarily those of GC)