Informal human settlers a problem at Gibson Corner

The Physical Planning and Development Board is making efforts to control the recent influx of persons to Gibson Corner to occupy lands that have been deemed unsafe.{{more}}

And with this in mind, those squatters or informal human settlers, as they are officially known, have been given their marching orders by the Planning Board.

Officers from the Physical Planning Department were busy on Tuesday, May 22, passing out enforcement orders for the squatters to vacate the area within a day after the date of service.

When contacted on Wednesday, Physical Planning Officer Shelford Stowe told SEARCHLIGHT that the Department is carrying out an exercise to get rid of the squatters in the area.

“This is for persons who are squatting and we are trying to control that. It is getting out of hand and there is a new breed of people emerging from that area..,” Stowe indicated.

He added that a quarry is now in operation in the area, an industrial activity which he said has been approved. He further noted that with the Quarry situated in the area, it is not compatible for further development of housing.

“We have been asked to intercede here and take the appropriate steps. However, persons who have legitimate reasons for being there wouldn’t have to worry. This is to address further squatting,” Stowe explained.

Approximately 10 structures have been erected in the area, with some persons even moving into abandoned houses in the area.

“We can’t leave it open like this. We are trying to target some of the illegal type of development that is springing up in some areas…,” Stowe said.

Gibson Corner was deemed an unsafe housing area in 1998 after heavy rains caused widespread land slippage, damaging several homes, forcing homeowners to vacate the area.

Most of the families have since been relocated to Pembroke and Diamond. However, four families who owned properties in the area are still languishing at Gibson Corner, waiting on Government to put in the proper infrastructure at Pembroke for them to be relocated.

In recent articles, the families have voiced their dissatisfaction at the way they have been treated and have accused the government of “dragging its feet”.(KW)