The Tribune

By RUPERT MISSICK Jr

DNA Leader Branville McCartney is calling on the government to divulge the names of the “protectors” and “elites” who maintain shanty towns for illegal immigrants on New Providence and state what sanctions will be levied against them.

Mr McCartney said that the DNA is of the view that many of these shanty towns are owned by prominent PLPs and FNMs, hence their unrestricted development over the years.

The DNA leader said that the party is waiting for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Fred Mitchell, to report on who these “protectors” and “elites” are.

Mr McCartney said that it was good to hear Minister of Housing and Environment Ken Dorsett, during his contribution to the budget debate, speak about a crackdown on shantytowns.

The minister stated that there would be consequences for those who live in such areas if they are not operating within the law.

He went on to outline the approach that this government intends to take regarding the notices that will be issued.

Minister Dorsett said: “A copy of all of the notices we have served and will serve to the owners and occupiers of shanty towns by the Department of Environmental Health Services will be copied to the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, the Ministry of National Security and the Departments of Immigration and Social Services.”

However, Mr McCartney said that this statement by Mr Dorsett puts him at odds with Mr Mitchell, who said a few months ago that the issue of shanty towns is more complex than it seems because these communities have their “protectors through the elite class of the country”.

The DNA leader said Mr Mitchell’s statement gave the impression nothing that can be done by this administration because of the so called “protectors” and “elites”.

“The fact of the matter is that nothing has been done about these shanty towns throughout the years and persons living there have been allowed to do whatever they wish.

“Simply put, administration after administration lacked the political will to rid our country of this vexing problem,” Mr McCartney said.

He said if these administrations have allowed shanty towns to develop without consequence because of high level connections, history will reflect that they did this country a tremendous disservice.

“The statement by the Minister of Housing and Environment expressly states that some notices have already been served. The Democratic National Alliance wishes to know whether notices were served to date on these protectors and elites as described by the Minister of Immigration.

“Indeed, the Minister of Housing and Environment seems to indicate that they are aware of who are the owners of the land the shanty towns are on,” The DNA leader said.

Mr McCartney said that if this is the case, the government should be willing to divulge the identities of these individuals and levy sanctions against them.

“The DNA is of the view that many of these shanty towns are owned by prominent PLPs and FNMs, hence their unrestricted development over the years. The shantytowns were indeed protected. We await the minister’s report on who these protectors and elites are. If we fail to hear from the government it can only be assumed that our assumption as to ownership is correct,” Mr McCartney said.