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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Physical Development, Environment and Housing, Martin Satney, has decried what
he described as the prevailing problem of squatters rapidly occupying vast
residential areas island wide. Satney was at the time addressing resident of
Desbarras, at a presentation ceremony of the official handing over of 200 feet
of access road and 28 house lots. The project was conducted under the Programme
for the Regularization of Unplanned Developments (PROUD), in the Ministry of
Physical Development, Environment and Housing.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the matter of squatting is of great
concern to government and hence the initiative by PROUD to provide ownership of
lands to formerly landless residents in the country.
The government is of the view that between 40 to 50% of the land around the
country is squatted on. “This situation is of great concern to the government
and therefore must be given prompt attention before it gets out of hand,” Satney
said.
“Sometimes people are even taking advantage of the situation, by deliberately
squatting and building homes for rent to other people. In other words they are
making money off other people’s property, be it crown lands or private lands.”
Satney added.
PROUD has begun an island wide programme to regularize the problem of squatting.
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