Roughly 140 People Displaced in Gov’t Demolitions, better info coming says ISU

By Dana Malcolm with Deandrea Hamilton

Editorial Staff 

#TurksandCaicos, April 6, 2023 – A post mortem of the recent demolition which returned some 27 acres of land to its rightful owners has revealed to the Informal Settlements Unit what can be done better next time around and that includes a truer picture of specifically who is directly affected by the containment exercises.

Despite the necessary and tactical nature of the scope of work of the Informal Settlement Unit there was one concerning issue, admitted leaders on the delicate project, namely the lack of a comprehensive collection of statistics in the late March two-day demolition exercise.

It’s an issue which Carlos Simons and Virginia Clerveaux say has been exacerbated by a staff shortage; one which has been flagged for adjustments going forward.

The mission of the ISU is likely to cause hurt feelings, bringing distress to those who have for years been able to reside illegally, in unauthorized homes or conduct business in buildings which have shirked Planning Department approval.  Still, the ISU maintains it wants to make the process as humane and empathetic as possible; they have involved the Human Rights Commission to achieve that goal.

“As we go along we will learn lessons and one of the lessons that we have learned is it might be a good idea for unit personnel to take a survey of who lives in these makeshift shelters, whether there are children involved and where the adults work, where the children go to school. We will design questionnaires to garner that information.’’

There were approximately 140 people displaced by the demolition in The Bight, according to the ISU.

It is concerning that there was no demographic information gathered on the group.  Officials cannot say who they are, what nationality they are, where they work, if they are legal or illegal residents and how many children, if any.

Admittedly, it’s information which would have proven quite valuable to the government, regulators, media and the public. It means the government will not be able to account for these residents and cannot confirm whether they have transitioned to suitable living accommodations; which for work permit holders or legal migrants is required of employers in keeping with the law.

Simons, KC readily admitted this and cited his intention to improve the process.

Based on information from a soon to be published study on Dock Yard, the Unit is confident that most of the people who occupy these settlements are undocumented.