Dear Editor,
I am asking for permission to air out some grievances with regard to a situation existing for some time.
Now that the Integrity Chamber is becoming reality, those with skeletons in their closet are running around helter-skelter, trying to cover their tracks. This present government seems to be dragging its feet on that issue.
The watchdogs of society need to pay close attention to the actions of some persons recently appointed to prominent positions at government departments and some family members.
Poor families are being denied the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty, through the actions of some corrupt civil servants and greedy businessmen. Certain people could own several properties all over town and the one tiny piece which has been inhabited by four and five generations of the same family is now being taken away. It is an open and low-lying area which gets flooded with the passage of every storm or hurricane. This was made worse with the added run-off water coming from a three-story building erected next door.
Imagine what would happen if another building is allowed to be built there. It would be like a huge concrete barrier, stopping the flow of water which gushes into our yard like waves on the seashore. That is what we experienced during Hurricanes Luis, Lenny, Irma and Maria, just to name a few. The water would rise quite rapidly, putting our families’ lives at risk of death or serious injury.
We were granted an audience with the former Minister of VROMI, and I will refer to him here as the Hon. Christophe Emmanuel, who I have now come to realize was the only one with a sympathetic ear. He is a true “man of the people” and I hope he gets back into office soon to continue the good he has been doing.
Now here comes a minister, who was a member of staff at that same department where several protest letters were filed, approving the building permit as soon as he gets into office. I would consider that a conflict of interest. Is it possible to have one building permit application for two separate areas, one uptown and one downtown? And all the games being played with a request to review the building permit application, by scheduling meetings an hour or two before or on holidays.
That is impossible for someone who is busy and a government department which closes on every holiday.
I am pleading with the powers that be and the present Min. of VROMI, to take a serious look into the situation. There are funds made available to help the people.
Why not re-purchase the property, which is valued at just over US $100,000, or offer the businessman a concession in the planned development along Walter Nisbeth Rd. in exchange for said property, which could then be split between the two neighbouring families along existing boundary lines. By doing so, you would be adding value to what is already theirs, which they can now use as collateral to seek financing, to not just rebuild but upgrade to a higher standard for them and future generations.
Where is the help for these families, who had a complete building wiped out and others damaged? A little over $50,000 each for two neighbouring families. Is that too much to ask? A win-win situation for everyone involved.
Even if the area were to be developed, it would have to be two separate buildings, with space in between them, so that in the event of any storm, the water would make its way out easily. Not one huge structure taking up the whole area. And there is no proper drainage in the area to help facilitate the flow of water. That building, if allowed to be built, would be denying residents proper access to their homes which they have lived in for generations.
We will present an official request to the authorities, because what this situation boils down to, simply put, is a matter of ultimate survival.
Blessed love,
J. Stakelboroug
