Rushton Paray

Mayaro MP

The recent protests at Ramjattan Trace, Arima, highlight the growing squatting crisis in TT.

Over 60,000 families live in unregulated settlements, facing poor living conditions and tenuous legal status.

In this specific case, residents report receiving eviction notices that lack official verification, creating significant fear and confusion. Many of them have lived on the land for over a decade, some even building permanent structures. The lack of clear communication and planning from the authorities exacerbates this already difficult situation, leaving residents in limbo.

Residents of Ramjattan Trace claim they were promised compensation and assistance, but no tangible support has been delivered. Furthermore, conflicting messages about the land’s ownership – shifting from private entities like Clico and HCL to the Commissioner of State Lands – have compounded the uncertainty.

For more than 40 families, the prospect of losing their homes within days of receiving poorly documented eviction notices is devastating. This case highlights a broader issue: the absence of structured policies to address squatting humanely and sustainably.

Immediate actions must address the confusion and prevent further harm to the affected families. The government should issue a formal statement to clarify the authenticity and legal basis of the eviction notices. Transparency is essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring that residents understand their rights and options.

Evictions should be paused until all questions surrounding the notices and ownership of the land are resolved. Without such immediate intervention, the situation risks escalating further.

Beyond short-term fixes, a comprehensive strategy is necessary to address squatting effectively. Relocation of the affected residents to planned settlements is one viable solution.

These new communities should include basic amenities such as clean water, electricity, and sanitation, alongside access to schools, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Such settlements should be designed to improve the standard of living for residents while integrating them into broader society. Public-private partnerships could help finance these developments, with incentives offered to developers to build affordable housing.

Legal reforms are also critical. Residents like those at Ramjattan Trace, who have occupied land for many years, should be eligible for expedited processes to obtain Certificates of Comfort or other forms of legal recognition.

Providing these residents with some form of security tenure can ease tensions and encourage their co-operation in relocating.

At the same time, the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) should be empowered to manage such transitions effectively, impose penalties for illegal encroachments, and oversee the development of planned settlements.

Health and safety must also be addressed. Squatting often leads to unsanitary conditions and inadequate healthcare, endangering the well-being of residents. In the case of Ramja