Government
Crushing Homes, Crushing Hearts; Illegal Constructions must go
Dana Malcolm with Deandrea Hamilton
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, April 6, 2023 – The first tangible presence of the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) that many residents would’ve been introduced to was on the 24th and 23rd of March when videos of the first demolitions of so called ‘shanty towns’ were shared by those on site.
Amidst the accolades for action against unauthorized constructions, the crestfallen wails of affected residents which can be heard in the background present a dramatic flip side of the story.
Despite the emotional dynamics and his “great” empathy with those who were affected, Carlos Simons, KC who heads the new Informal Settlement Unit says the process is without a doubt necessary.
“You can see in the pictures and some of the videos it’s just heartbreaking and you wish you didn’t have to engage in these exercises. But if the TCI is going to develop in a way that we want it to, we have to do what we are doing.”
The Turks and Caicos is desperate for land, Crown Land in government hands and thus the hands of the public is down to 23 percent and if TCIG cannot find the space to build 600 homes a year, the country will enter a dire
The mandate of the ISU is to decide how unplanned settlements, already standing and occupied, are to be contained and the proliferation of these communities will be stopped. Simons assures that building structures whether in open defiance or ignorance of the Planning laws will be torn down; legally and humanely.
It’s not just as simple as occupying land though. Simons says there are serious dangers to building without permits.
“It presents all sorts of problems, including health, security, and a whole range.”
He along with Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary in the National Security Secretariat described the dangers including the challenges presented to first responders like Police of Ambulance when it comes to navigating these uncharted areas. These areas provide cover for criminals and poorly constructed homes become a risk to everyone surrounding as they are often unable to withstand hurricanes – all of which are dangers posed by these settlements.
“Think of the implications when sewage cannot be disposed of properly or when emergency services cannot reach you,” he said.
Under the watchful eye of the Human Rights Commission and other agencies who all accompany the ISU to sites, Simons is confident that the informal settlements unit is carrying out these activities with as much consideration as is possible.
The former Supreme Court Judge made it clear that the Human Rights Commission has raised no objection to the demolitions.
Simons doubled down on the mission; saying the unflinching decision to bulldoze any unauthorized construction sends an important message about how the Turks and Caicos Islands will be developed.
“We want the people engaging in this to understand that this is not something that they should be engaged in. It may last for a while but it will bring grief.”