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**Taneischa Réa** » 2011-06-27 18:05

I enjoyed reading the article and wondered if a few revealing, high resolution color photos embedded in the article would not have been effective in creating sufficient shame and embar**ment to expedite the drastic and immediate remedial action so desperately required in this situation. Nice to see Dessalines exercising his journalistic skills alongside Fred and Frank.
Peace from Europe
Taneischea Réa

**Frank Southwell** » 2011-06-22 01:08

Squatters are everywhere in all countries. Each country has found ways to deal with that problem and it is now Antigua's turn. The DCA seems, at last, to be exhausting the prescribed and legal steps before sending in bulldozers. Without appearing to reward illegality with Government lands, the DCA and the Government have to still assist these residents. It is a most difficult position to be in.... I wish them all the best in their quest to find a workable solution.

**kirikho kona** » 2011-06-17 20:29

@perplexed - yes i did take them to court actually...the case was settled recently, but i had to change the locks as someone was still able to access the house (and subsequently leave faeces in the toilets........ .) so i know even though the keys were all returned they (or a friend) may have had other copies made

**kirikho kona** » 2011-06-17 20:27

@Tenman - its in sutherlands, piggots (near the 'Y' junction leading to burma road), and i'm seeing a similar setup showing up near to fort-road/gambl es area as well.....honest ly i'm not convinced the DCA is serious about this at all, because i've been hearing a lot of talk from them for years (since my secondary school years) about "what needs to be done, squatting is such a big problem, its a health hazard, illegal electricity, sweage, etc" but not one single thing is done to rectify the problem...it begs the question: is anyone in leadership over in the DCA (and by extension CHAPA) really qualified or even current in their field of operation? :-*

**Rastaman** » 2011-06-17 20:18

Simple enforce the laws Immigration, Public Health, DCA, APUA, Small Charges Act, Litter Act, Solid waste, etc What is the Problem again? Oh yeah the problem is the weak politician begging for a vote, How low will they go????

**READER** » 2011-06-17 11:21

"The water in the drain was green, and had human faeces floating in it, according to the official."

ISN'T THIS STANDARD FOR ANTIGUA? THE CITY CENTRE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE'S ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Nasty island for nasty people!

**tenman** » 2011-06-17 11:18

kirikho kona - continuing your point, I have seen a development in Sutherlands, which needs to be condemned, and though its mostly persons from the Dominican republic who live there (there are some Antiguans) I am told the houses are owned by an Antiguan lady who carries the same last name of the PM (perhaps they are not related)
..

**Perplexed** » 2011-06-17 10:44

Did you have these individuals evicted as that is overcrowding? Did you take the individuals you rented the property to court? How did you resolve that issue?

**kirikho kona** » 2011-06-17 08:33

the squatting were there even before the perry-bay road was built...and that was long before we had the influx of persons from other countries...its antiguans who are owning and renting these houses out illegally - i had rented a house once (to an antiguan) only to find out that the person had sub-rented the house (rented each room for half the price of monthly rent i charged) to some 12 individuals (some antiguan, some jamaican) and lived elsewhere...thi s house being a 3-bedroom house...the point im raising is....foreigner s are not entirely to blame here in this problem

**John French II** » 2011-06-17 08:22

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Notwithstanding fulminations against the Colonial & European Privateers, Can any of these Irrational Xenophobes point to a serious Infrastructure project in St. Johns and its Slums, Suburbs or Surrounding Communities by either The ALP, PLM Or UPP. Just for the untrained and those with a neglected education, in Engineering, Infrastructue does not include Buildings. It includes roads, stormwater and sanitary systems, Water, Natural Gas, Communications and Electrical Distibution Systems. Since 9/11 the US has broadened the definition to include buildings due to its security concerns. St. John's and its environs have an infrastructure that dates from years before the European and Colonial Privateer Government sailed away from these shores. In any Developed and Forward Thinking Country the Waterfront is now being used as a sanctuary for the people with "Boardwalks" and access to the sea. The Coast Restuarant has closed the walkway! Research the Royal Caribbean and its development of the Waterfront and Fort James at the end with the Fort and its Ruins. So far They have walked. Ponder Why? Heaven Help The Nation Of Antigua & Barbuda - Redonda?

**skyewill** » 2011-06-17 08:21

I see legit points in your statement. I agree that illegal trouble makers need to be deported. I even agree with Antigua for Antiguans. But!!
Yard fowls are refugees from some godforsaken country? You are talking about people right? I can't condone such. Sir, I believe in God the creator who in his image made these beautiful people like he made you and me. From the human family point of view, you are wasting your good talent. You seem to be a good thinker and communicate will. Do you really hate like that or is this an angry front?
I once have a conversation with a KKK while in US military uniform called me nigger, wearing his white sheet, hood and all, face uncovered. I asked him why would he feel that way. Being bigger than the average person has its advantages. He did speak to me in a gentle voice and explained. I realized he did not even know me and was simply afraid.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-17 08:08

Immigration in Antigua is Antigua’s problem not foreigners. Are we not a country of LAWS. No! That’s the problem. I find it incredible that politicians make promises and hardly ever keep them and put people in charge that are not about working for their pay. . This problem can be fixed in 90 days, tops! Up hold the law. Get some social workers and public health folks in their, PWD, Police and the court order. Deport those that should be, and relocate the others to housing projects.

**John French II** » 2011-06-17 07:54

Notes From A Native Son Of the Rock. Oh! What a Tangled Web They Weave, When First They Practise to Deceive! It never ceases to amaze me when grown folks rush foolishly where Angels Fear to Tread at every Headline like "Ambulance Chasers" without any Critical Thinking. It is a condition dominant in our Education System of "Rote Learning" leaving our youth lacking the necessary Cognitive Skills for the 21st Century. These folks are spewing their venom at the "Poorest Amongst Us" rather than at the "Night Soil Trucks & Honey Waggons" that prowl St. John's at the dead of night. This is a diversion for 2014. Look beyond the filth and sanitary smells which make up the outdoor air quality of the City. Any Engineer worth his salt will advise you that the "Septic Systems" as designed and built in St.John's and its environs should be condemned. Where is the Engineering Society? This Body are not Serving The Nation and its People. Heaven Help The Nation Of Antigua & Barbuda.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-17 07:46

Do you really believe what you are writing? I don't think so. How dear you talk about our top rankings like that? my email address is Skyewill

aol.com for your kind consideration please. ME BEX!

**skyewill** » 2011-06-16 22:41

I could not believe it until I seen it with my own 2 eyes, Tourists taking pictures of a filthy down town, yes St. Johns dirty. so while we are worried about squatters how about cleaning up the Market area

**rURAL EAST** » 2011-06-16 19:36

What are you saying its in the PM area? Well well what a mrss after these people rallied for him , this is what they are getting?WOW

**PLM** » 2011-06-16 16:59

Tenman,

If your ancestors were not emancipated in Antigua in 1834 (the free colored population was only 10%), if you don’t have a direct link back to the Moravian Church, more likely than not you aint no real Antigua; you’re a refugee, and god has ordained that we should be on opposing sides.

**tenman** » 2011-06-16 16:37

PLM you are talking about civil war and then using terms like "real Antiguans". Seems to me that its persons like you who wish to start a war. I can promise me that whatever side I am on, it will be opposite to yours because my grand parents always told me to stay away from bitter people.

..

**PLM** » 2011-06-16 16:23

Dessalines,

Nah badder wid dem smaddy. Keep standing up for Antigua and Antiguans. Most of these ALP yard fowls are refugees from some godforsaken country. The first order of business should be to round all these people up and deport them. These people should not be walking the streets with respectable people. There are too many MP’s in the UPP with divided loyalties, and they are taking this country down the road to civil war! Real Antiguans have had enough and sooner rather than later the situation is going to explode.

**Buzzbomb** » 2011-06-16 15:26

I agree that immigration should not remain blameless, should be held accountable in many respects. I was more concerned with knee-** responsive xenophobia and comments that suggest segregating some of our Caribbean brothers and sisters who live with us in Antigua & Barbuda.
The wingnuts in the USA are really going after latin immigrants who have worked their for years. They are also creating a climate of Islamaphobia which is always a 'great sell' to fundementalists who don't stop and think. Sanitation and public health is the issue here.

**tenman** » 2011-06-16 14:24

John French Jr as usual well said.

..

**tenman** » 2011-06-16 14:18

Dessalines why do you continually hit at non-nationals like Lou Dobbs used to? Don't you recall the persons (mostly Antiguans) living in the Fibrey area? That community that used to be on the out skirts of town which is now a parking lot? Do you recall them having proper septic and such? To hear you speak only non nationals live in a ghetto area. As far as a copy of a utility bill go, don't you understand that there are persons there who were able to convince APUA to provide electricity? If you missed it:

"Eyebrows were raised when the team noticed APUA electricity metres on some of the houses. "

..

**Dessalines** » 2011-06-16 13:14

Immigration cannot be held blameless for this problem either. When you apply for an 'extension' or visa in the case of Dominicans you need to state your address. Do they require proof of address by a copy of your utility bills? If so how are all these people given temporary residence in Antigua without a valid home address? In fact most of our problems in terms of unemployment/un deremployment, overcrowded schools, ghettoized communities etc can be traced right back to the immigration department who let people walk off the plane and then allow then to get their 'vacations' extended indefinitely until they are here for 7 years and then qualify for citizenship. We might as well lock down the immigration department and put up kiosks up at the ports of entry and save ourselves some tax dollars.

**John French Jr.** » 2011-06-16 12:34

This area has been a slum since time began. Non-Nationals did not create. Nationals lived and continue to live in such conditions. Non-Nationals are paying Rent for these Hovels to Nationals. This is the condition that **ens wrote of centuries ago in England & Europe - Oliver Twist. Visit the area and speak to the residents. Do the Research and quit guessing at every ill. Focus on the Real Issue of Lack of Planning, Civic Engagement and National Pride by Blues and Reds. Let the Planning begin here and end at Government House. Oh What A Shameful Facility Parading as the Governor Generals Official Office. Do they actuall take visiting dignitaries there? They cannot in good conscience do that to the Nation. Keep Hope Alive and quit playing the Blame Game.

**piky head** » 2011-06-16 12:00

i guess it will be developed as planned since the 90s.

**kirikho kona** » 2011-06-16 10:46

sad to say we're hearing of this issue again and again..but what action is going to be taken? once again, not one thing....people in antigua talk a lot, but almost always shy away when its time for action...upp, alp, dca, they all are guilty of this. i'll believe their concerns when i actually see someone do something about it...until then its best they stop wasting the media's time with their "concerns".

fixing this issue will involve change A LOT of things.....rega rding how land use is controlled, immigration (i.e. checking immigration status a lot more stringently), the leadership of many of these departments involved in developmental planning, and also some laws governing land use. :sigh:

**Buzzbomb** » 2011-06-16 10:41

I can't help but think of the millions upon millions of dollars squandered on walls (car damaging walls downtown BTW) and other nonesense, while public health hazzards like this and Country Pond go ignored.
Also, I can't jump on some people's bandwagon and start blaming foreigners, because the problem is here. Surely not every problem is caused by foreigners. I know it's a common response, but think back to circa 1990 when tourists were murdered on their yacht off the coast of Barbuda, and the Outlet speculated for weeks that it had to be the work of somebody who "bang wada come ya". Well, turns out they were quite wrong. Further, I can't believe there are no Antiguans living in Perry Bay.

**VeNoM** » 2011-06-16 10:35

Nat ah ting go hapn dong dey! they all represent a potential vote. Therefore, if the Govt, by some stroke of luck, decides to do the right thing & break it down & send the "illegal slum kings" packing, the ALP -who first brought them here to vote-will use it against them by claiming they are agianst foreigners. The Govt would, then quickly back off, in an attempt to eek out some votes. That's why nothing has been done in pigotts & its the same reason why the UPP came up with its "mellinum naturalisation crap". These ppl will remain & eventually, the Govt will send in PWD & others to "regularise" the situation. If its one thing i will not stand idly by & allow this or anyother Govt to do is to relocate them to other Govt/my land! This article should prove to all the calibre/calss of persons we allowed to come here in mass. Oh, i forgot, they were brought to "build the country".

**Vicnes** » 2011-06-16 10:26

The deplorable conditions of the housing in Greenbay Area and Point have existed for over 60 years. These are the constituencies of Baldwin Spencer and Gaston Brown, two of the biggest buffoons in parliament.
\
Now this moron at the DCA wants us to believe that this is all new to him. The entire city of St. John's is unsanitary. It is filthy and stinks all over. Millions of gallons of raw sewage is pumped into the sea that the residents are eating seafood from.

Lovell, I won't even give your government an F grade. The UPP is the most incompetent government in the world, and the ALP is no better. The current crop of politicians in Antigua and Barbuda excel at one thing only:CORRUPTION . The sad part is that the millions of dollars that the politicians have wasted on excessive and unimportant trips would have been more than enough to build proper housing in the entire city. Until we move forward and find competent administrators, the entire city will become a Shanty Town.

**tenman** » 2011-06-16 10:07

Its time for action, enough talk. I recall in about 2005 attending a meeting convened by the concerned Citizens and the then DCA chief in attendance spoke of this issue. I recall asking how these persons were able to get electricity when APUA requires DCA approval before providing such. The quick answer was, this is Antigua. If we are unwilling to enforce rules what do we expect?

..

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-16 10:05

There is such a thing that is considered a Socially acceptable home. Ironically its small house. It requires private areas called bedroom(s) that enables the separation of ... after they reach a certain age. A sanitary kitchen and bath/ toilet facilities. A two bedroom can be achieved in 725 square feet. With a veranda 760 S.F. and room for expansion.
These houses can be placed on 2,400 SF lots that allows for out door space to clean fish, dry clothes as well as outdoor storage.
A must have is passive and active outdoor public spaces, from toddler play areas to young adult playing fields; given the tightness of such starter homes homes, which will allow for community life.
These possibilities will never come about until there is a change in the public mind-set that demands excellence from those who seeks public office

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-16 09:47

DCA Chanlah Codrington has been the only voice in the wilderness. He took on the Wills "slum lord" Martin and waged a fight against him further expanding his ghetto. MP Codrington spoke out about corruption at DCA; he was blocked not only by the life time tenured Civil Servants but also by higher ups since he is only a junior Minister.
Neither the vision or will is present to do much about this disgraceful situation. As a public issue, it will out of our collective consciousness in a month or so.

**Lamanex** » 2011-06-16 09:41

If those people are breaking the laws of the country, why is'nt actions immediately taken by the authorities?. That is what they are paid with tax-payers money to do. Are they waiting for their citizens to be affected by this situation and the country to be battleing serious medical problems before something is being done?. Send those squatters back to their country of origine and let their government take care of their needs. Where is your immigration authority?.

**John French II** » 2011-06-16 08:43

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. For those youth not familiar with "Nansi Stories" Google the subject. Squatters? Heaven Help US. That I have commented frequently on this Human Condition and Tragedy which has befallen some of our citizens and non-nationals who inhabit this neck of the "Mud" is interesting to see them now being classified as "Squatters". My most recent was a few weeks ago when I took an Hon Sen to task on her description of entering St. John's Harbour on one of the Privateers Floating Hotels, which she described as being a most beautiful sight to behold. Oh! what a tangled web we weave. When first we practise to deceive! Atleast the DCA is now concerned with the "Favela, Shanty Town and Township." Language, Companeros, Informs. What's the solution to "Squatters"? When VC cleared out "Garlings" it was a transparent and well received social and political decision. With 2014 approaching, lets understand what is at stake. Dr. PM, I am hopeful. Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest... Keep Hope Alive! Keep The Faith! Heaven Help The Nation Of Antigua & Barbuda - Redonda?

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-16 08:27

I documented the housing conditions of the area in 2005 as part of a delegation looking at Social and Affordable housing,in 2007; I revisited on behalf of a family with significant land holding in the area, who wanted to explore the possibilities for development. Even though it was widely known and suspected the conditions literally blew my mind. As we presented our findings and offered some solutions; I vividly recalled one Senior Civil Servants stating: "don't worry about those kids playing in that putrid water, or people having to jump from crate to crate to get to their houses when it rains; for a UNESCO study shows that the kids in the area are not suffering or any less healthier than other kids around Antigua and Barbuda."
Just another instance that I was barking up the wrong tree with my altruistic ideals and part of a painful lesson as I was told, those North American ideas and experience that don't work in Antigua.
It's interesting that the same Ministry is now discovering these very conditions.

**Roadwarrior** » 2011-06-16 08:11

Until the DCA and other agencies doe their jobs, I do not want to hear squat from them. I can bet my bottom dollar that the people who are perpetrators of this health hazard are non-nationals. These people come and they trun this country inside out because they realise that our politicians have no balls and that the enforcement of housing laws amongst others are weak as hell.
Politicians will never do anything about it because their only concern is votes and staying in power. When the DCA walks its talk, then I will begin to listen!

**Morris** » 2011-06-16 08:00

This was a long time coming, because the area had been neglected by our leaders for years. It took them this long to notice how bad it is? I always thought that politicians are suppose to know their constituents and the conditions that affect them, however, this is evidence that I was so wrong. I've always held the belief that public housing schemes were necessities in those small communities in St. John's primarily because there is not enough space for everyone to have a big house with a plush lawn surrounded by a nice picket fence.

**Cool Ruler** » 2011-06-16 07:57

This is not new the area in question use to be the official dump before it was moved to cooks by the PLM. The ALP later turned a blind eye as scores of people from the Dominican Republic began squatting there, while DC was the representative. After it became an eye sore the ALP simply built a road across the sea and tried to use the silt to hide it. The PM who is the area representative for years is not blameless either for while he may have express concern privately from time to time has not done or said nothing publicly said anything about it.

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