By Trevor Thwaites (St.George's correspondent)



ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada: Agriculture Minister the Hon Gregory Bowen says that squatters occupying prime lands in the Mt Pandy area in Belmont South St George will be relocated to make room for the multi-million dollar Blue Lagoon Project, which should begin shortly. However, Parliamentary Representative Mrs Glynis Roberts has accused the government of being inhumane, acting unfairly to the residents who she said are being forced to move at short notice. Mrs Roberts says that she has tried unsuccessfully to get an audience with the Minister of Agriculture concerning the issue.

The South St George MP has called for dialogue to discuss the issue. However, the Agriculture Minister said that the problem, which dates back to 2003, is not new. He said that the people who are causing problems have been warned against squatting following Hurricane Ivan. “We have discussed amicable with over 40 persons. We will relocate them at Beausejour,” Bowen told the media during a press conference Monday morning in the city. He said that plans are well advanced for the relocation to occur smoothly.

“We have the lands at Beausejour, we have done the sub-division, and we are putting in roads. US$400,000 have been earmarked for this venture to assist the 40 persons to leave the Pandy area and to move into Beausejour,” the Agriculture minister pointed out. He said that the ministry of Agriculture will soon be meeting with these people in an attempt to arrive at a methodology for distributing the lands. However, Bowen said that the persons, who have been squatting after Hurricane Ivan, have been served notice to vacate the area.

“There is no other solution than to move these people according to the law. They have been notified before. We will do all we can to make it perhaps easy as possible for them, but will not be engaged. We cannot support anyone who does not obey the law.” Bowen said that anyone, who is supporting the squatters are simply stifling the development of the country.

Developers of the Blue Lagoon Project is said to have paid millions of dollars for the lands at Mt Pandy. The project is said to involve the construction of Marina and top class villas.



Your views or comments on this article can be sent to grenadianconnection@gmail.com