OWTU SPEAKS 2004-05-10
THE NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY
The absence of a National Land Use Policy has caused two (2) fundamental developments to take root in Trinidad and Tobago over the past fifteen (15) years. The first one is the acquisition and ownership of large parcels of the best lands in Tobago by German expatriates principally, encouraged by the NHA’s Foreign Investment Act which either denuded it to its Trinibagonian ownership importance. The second is the indiscriminate and widespread squatting that has been springing up all over in both Trinidad and Tobago – and with this – a growing demand by some for the respect of the rights of the squatters whatever those maybe and whether on Private or State Lands. Let us go back to the first one;
One does not recall a history of squatting in Tobago. Over the years, the National Housing authority had concentrated its efforts at providing alternative housing for the low income, unemployed and poor in Trinidad. The Tobagonian was not identified among that unfortunate lot. Every Tobagonian Grand Father, Nennen and Great Uncle had first of all attained ownership and title for his plot down in the gully or over the bank dey – which he bequeathed to his pikneys. Every Tobagonian unit therefore had its spot of ground on which it could have planted a fig tree either for shelter or food or both. The ownership of the plot and title to it provided the collateral for acquisition of the necessary infrastructure which made the NHA’s role unimportant and redundant in Tobago. But that has changed.
Some fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) years ago, a political administration, faced with tough financial and economic challenges and benefit of ideas of alternative development strategies was forced, it seemed, to dismantle many vestiges of local ownership and national independence and opened the door to the new business enterprise of garage sales of the family jewels. I recall that when the Foreign Investment Bill, instructed by the IMF/World Bank, was being debated in the Parliament, we warned that Tobagonians would wake up one day to find themselves confused tenants on lands which they once owned but which they ceded to a strange new landlord. We did not anticipate that it would be so soon. Today, many Tobagonians are besieging the NHA for the 10x10’ cubicle that is so small that if the occupant wished to change his mind he must first go back outside where a three (3) point turn around will also call on much dexterity. If only there was developed a National Land Use Policy on the antecedent declaration in the 3rd Five Year Development Programme (1969-1973) relative to land ownership in the context of the commanding heights of our economy.
Equally, and this is on the second point – these tiny huts so very close to each other leave absolutely no room for expansion on the narrow little piece of land on which each is constructed. No room for a fig tree or a head of lettuce or pakchoi to be planted – no yard for a child to play. The low income, the unemployed could hardly be expected, in today’s world, to lift his social and economic circumstance in the environment fostered by clusters such as in the area near Piarco and as are being built now at Toruba. There is also the toxic gas emission from the heavy vehicular traffic which passes so near those houses at Toruba. The authorities may well want to research the reason that the developed countries prefer trees and other vegetation along their heavy motorways. There is an important e3nvironmental issue involved here. It seems necessary – even an imperative – that we rethink housing, land ownership, squatter regularization and resettlement, agriculture and food development in the overall context of a National Land Use Policy. Just a view – a supposedly important one!
I am Errol Mc Leod President General of the OWTU
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