SUPPORT PEOPLE OF SPRING VILLAGE!
FOOD SECURITY FOR THE NATION!
FOOD SECURITY FOR THE NATION!
The following bulletin was issued by the Food and Fuel Forum and the National Workers' Union in May 2008.
The National Workers’ Union (NWU) and the Food and Fuel Forum (FFF) stand in solidarity with the people of Spring Village/St. Augustine South/ Freeman Road in their struggle to produce food for the nation and to defend their community against the lawless actions of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
On Wednesday 7th May 2008, a contractor hired by the HDC bulldozed, without prior notice or warning, ten acres of land in the Spring Village area. These lands contained ochroes, peppers, coconuts and dasheen. The HDC, a state agency, at a time when concern is growing about the price and availability of food, took such callous action in its bid to build houses on Class I agricultural land so that the PNM could gain an electoral edge in the marginal seat of St. Augustine.
In the early 1990’s Caroni Ltd. handed over seven acres of land through the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation to the Village Council in the area for the construction of a recreation ground. In the interim the lands were planted up in food crops. Not surprisingly, after fifteen years, the recreation ground has not yet been built.
The HDC, in a contemptuous fork-tongued display, denied that the bulldozed land contained bearing crops, and, taking the citizens of T&T for fools claimed they were doing soil testing. Yeah right! What an insult to our intelligence! This bold-face lie by the HDC further angered the brave residents of the area who took action to defend their livelihood and their community. In true Trini style they blocked the contractor, faced the might of the police and blocked the streets in an attempt o get the attention of the political authorities and the citizens of the republic. The police detained eight residents, including Councillor K. Amin and Daniel Benny. Despite the oppressive actions of the State the villagers have continued to defy the forces of backwardness and have continued the struggle to live in a decent and civilised manner as all citizens are entitled to do.
According to the Environmental Management Authority Act (#3 of 2000) 35(1) the Minister “may...designate a list of activities requiring a certificate of environmental clearance.” and 35(2) “no person shall proceed with any activity which the Minister has designated as requiring a certificate unless such person applies for and receives a certificate from the Authority.”
Under the Schedule of Designated Activities of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (Designated Activities Order) made under section 35(1) of Act #3 of 2000 a certificate of environmental clearance must be sought and obtained for “ the clearing, excavation, grading or land filling of an area of more than two hectares during a two year period.” (1 hectare = 2.47 acres). The HDC did not obtain a CEC before its assault on the people of Spring Village. It is, therefore, a lawless, rogue agency of the state just like its twin – UDECOTT. The HDC exhibited a callous and contemptuous disregard for its Corporate Social Responsibility to meet and treat with the people who would be affected by its decision to enter the lands and carry out any activity which would destroy their property and diminish their means of livelihood.
The HDC is a cynical, lawless, callous and shameless rogue agency operating on behalf of a government that boasts about “caring” for and being sensitive to the needs of the people. Shame! Shame! Shame on the HDC and the government! It is hypocrisy in the extreme for this government to talk about securing the food and nutrition future and yet allow HDC to violate and destroy crops and authorise house building on Class I River Estate soil in the Spring Village/Lower St. Augustine/Freeman Road area! Class I (River Estate Soil) lands, comprise 3126 hectares located in Tucker valley, Diego Martin, Westmoorings, Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Grand Riviere, Caura, Santa Cruz, St. Joseph and the area between the Northern Range and the Caroni River (Barataria/Beetham; Aranjuez/El Socorro; Curepe/Valsayn/Bamboo/Mt Hope; Pasea/Tunapuna).
Most of the Class I soil, the best soil for agriculture, has already been alienated into residential, commercial and infrastructural use. Only 24.5% of the most fertile land in the country is still under agricultural production. The Curepe/Valsayn area is the largest remaining location of Class I soil in the country, yet the HDC rushes in to alienate a sizeable portion of that land away from agriculture. Can anyone deny that the government is not an enemy of the masses?
The actions of the HDC remind of the lands at Ramgoolie Trace (Class I land) where despite widespread protests led by the National FoodCrop Farmers’ Association (NFFA), HDC planted houses on the land and promised residents that they would get houses. Only three Curepe families were housed! The HDC’s promises are as bitter as wormwood and sharp as two-edged sword!
The National Workers’ Union and the Food and Fuel Forum supports the demands put forward by the NFFA and the Spring Village Village Council that:
On Wednesday 7th May 2008, a contractor hired by the HDC bulldozed, without prior notice or warning, ten acres of land in the Spring Village area. These lands contained ochroes, peppers, coconuts and dasheen. The HDC, a state agency, at a time when concern is growing about the price and availability of food, took such callous action in its bid to build houses on Class I agricultural land so that the PNM could gain an electoral edge in the marginal seat of St. Augustine.
In the early 1990’s Caroni Ltd. handed over seven acres of land through the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation to the Village Council in the area for the construction of a recreation ground. In the interim the lands were planted up in food crops. Not surprisingly, after fifteen years, the recreation ground has not yet been built.
The HDC, in a contemptuous fork-tongued display, denied that the bulldozed land contained bearing crops, and, taking the citizens of T&T for fools claimed they were doing soil testing. Yeah right! What an insult to our intelligence! This bold-face lie by the HDC further angered the brave residents of the area who took action to defend their livelihood and their community. In true Trini style they blocked the contractor, faced the might of the police and blocked the streets in an attempt o get the attention of the political authorities and the citizens of the republic. The police detained eight residents, including Councillor K. Amin and Daniel Benny. Despite the oppressive actions of the State the villagers have continued to defy the forces of backwardness and have continued the struggle to live in a decent and civilised manner as all citizens are entitled to do.
According to the Environmental Management Authority Act (#3 of 2000) 35(1) the Minister “may...designate a list of activities requiring a certificate of environmental clearance.” and 35(2) “no person shall proceed with any activity which the Minister has designated as requiring a certificate unless such person applies for and receives a certificate from the Authority.”
Under the Schedule of Designated Activities of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (Designated Activities Order) made under section 35(1) of Act #3 of 2000 a certificate of environmental clearance must be sought and obtained for “ the clearing, excavation, grading or land filling of an area of more than two hectares during a two year period.” (1 hectare = 2.47 acres). The HDC did not obtain a CEC before its assault on the people of Spring Village. It is, therefore, a lawless, rogue agency of the state just like its twin – UDECOTT. The HDC exhibited a callous and contemptuous disregard for its Corporate Social Responsibility to meet and treat with the people who would be affected by its decision to enter the lands and carry out any activity which would destroy their property and diminish their means of livelihood.
The HDC is a cynical, lawless, callous and shameless rogue agency operating on behalf of a government that boasts about “caring” for and being sensitive to the needs of the people. Shame! Shame! Shame on the HDC and the government! It is hypocrisy in the extreme for this government to talk about securing the food and nutrition future and yet allow HDC to violate and destroy crops and authorise house building on Class I River Estate soil in the Spring Village/Lower St. Augustine/Freeman Road area! Class I (River Estate Soil) lands, comprise 3126 hectares located in Tucker valley, Diego Martin, Westmoorings, Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Grand Riviere, Caura, Santa Cruz, St. Joseph and the area between the Northern Range and the Caroni River (Barataria/Beetham; Aranjuez/El Socorro; Curepe/Valsayn/Bamboo/Mt Hope; Pasea/Tunapuna).
Most of the Class I soil, the best soil for agriculture, has already been alienated into residential, commercial and infrastructural use. Only 24.5% of the most fertile land in the country is still under agricultural production. The Curepe/Valsayn area is the largest remaining location of Class I soil in the country, yet the HDC rushes in to alienate a sizeable portion of that land away from agriculture. Can anyone deny that the government is not an enemy of the masses?
The actions of the HDC remind of the lands at Ramgoolie Trace (Class I land) where despite widespread protests led by the National FoodCrop Farmers’ Association (NFFA), HDC planted houses on the land and promised residents that they would get houses. Only three Curepe families were housed! The HDC’s promises are as bitter as wormwood and sharp as two-edged sword!
The National Workers’ Union and the Food and Fuel Forum supports the demands put forward by the NFFA and the Spring Village Village Council that:
- Lands in the area should be reserved for agricultural production.
- Lands should be distributed in such a way as to give the farmers security of tenure.
- The government should provide the infrastructural and particularly irrigation amenities, support and incentives to the farmers to ensure a high standard of production.
- The squatting families that are occupying some of the lands be regularised in a humane, orderly and non-discriminatory manner.
The National Workers’ Union and the Food and Fuel Forum further demand that, as far as is practicable, as a matter of public policy, all remaining Class I River Estate soil lands must be reserved for agriculture and food security, particularly at Chaguaramas, the North Coast and Caura.
NO CHEAP FOOD?
SECURITY OF TENURE FOR FARMERS NOW!
LAND MUST GO TO THOSE WHO WORK IT!
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