Guest column: The illegal use of State lands and Headlines

There is a very real possibility that many people like myself would be at pains to find what in the acting Prime Minister Errol Mc Leod’s speech at an OWTU function in San Fernando on Saturday 25th September, could have led to the headline “ Finance Minister has credibility issues”.

Such headlines can lead one to speculate that the writer either has credibility issues or perhaps some political agenda.

A few days earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Works Minister Jack Warner was embarking on a plan to retrieve lands owned by the PTSC. These lands were once used for train lines when trains were in use in Trinidad years ago.

That initiative warrants a headline, perhaps first page. The illegal use of State lands for personal and business use continues to be a major problem facing the administrators of our country and the initiative taken by the works minister certainly deserves a major headline.

The illegal occupation of beach front property, road reserves, lands previously owned by Caroni Limited, forest reserves and State lands in general are symptoms of a nation slipping into a state of lawlessness.

The attempt of this government to restore respect for the law and attempt to directly confront the unlawful occupation of State lands is more than commendable it is a prerequisite to order in our society.

The number of squatters along the Solomon Hochoy highway, the Lady Young road, the Mucurapo foreshore and on ex Caroni lands seem to be increasing daily. 
There is also the occupation of property after the State has paid for acquiring the land.

Years ago the State attempted to relocate families from the area surrounding the Piarco airport. Did these families get State properties? Were they compensated for their property? All indications are the properties that were to be evacuated are still occupied at this time. Could there be people illegally occupying these properties?

There are many symbols of lawlessness that exist in Trinidad that must be eradicated if we are to get to a level of civility that demonstrates we are a law abiding society.

Among the many are:

• The continuing disregard for traffic laws – speeding, driving on the shoulder of the road etc.
• Abuse of environmental laws – loud music, illegal dumping of garbage, building without approval from the EMA
• The illegal hunting of endangered animals and fishing and hunting young and pregnant animals 
• The blatant abuse of the copyright laws 
• The illegal selling of food without the requisite food badges 
• Loitering and the ignoring of truancy laws which are still valid 
• Bribing of public officials 
• Defacing public property – placing advertisements on walls and utility polesI 
• Illegal churches, schools and places of public gathering without the requisite approvals 
• Use of government’s property for personal use – cars, offices, tools, equipment etc.  

These are but some of the daily practices that are illegal but are ignored by many.

Respecting the laws is necessary for restoring order to our society. To many it seems OK to deal with crime as long as individuals are allowed to carry on some illegal activities with impunity.

The PP government has started to target criminal activity at all levels and they need our support. Negative headlines which do not convey the spirit of what is being attempted can give a totally opposite impression of what is actually been said or done.

Steve Alvarez | Political Leader of the Democratic party of Trinidad & Tobago