Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, says farmers of Cummings Lodge 1767, whose lands were destroyed during the clearing of lands for housing development are being compensated.
The Minister on Monday visited the area where he assured affected farmers that long-term compensation is on the cards. Farmers are being asked to consider an option to own and cultivate their lands, or secure employment through the housing or other infrastructural developments in the community.
“As a result, we are at a stage now where having calculated the level of crops that are there, the type of crops that are there…through CPA [Central Housing and Planning Authority] we are now at a compensatory stage and so I want to encourage the farmers to ensure that they’re part of the collaboration process.”
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues,said the Government will come to a peaceful resolution that will be beneficial and satisfying to the farmers.
“We came into conflict with, of course, those of you who are here today, who have been living off of the land, planting and sustaining your livelihood with this land. We do not want to come in the way of that,” she said.
The Minister also said Sophia would not be left out of development and no resident left dissatisfied. Therefore, the Ministry has decided to engage them in finding solutions to move forward. (Extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information)
