Protesters have crippled the construction of the $7.4 billion Solomon Hochoy highway extension by shutting down 12 construction zones stretching from Point Fortin to Mon Desir, as they intensified their struggle for compensation yesterday. They have been locked in battle with the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) over the non-payment of compensation for loss of crops and lands at Perseverance Estate, Guapo. Before dawn, over 30 residents began their siege at Battery Road, Guapo, before moving to the South Central Road, Point Fortin, where they stopped highway workers from entering the job site.
By midday, they chased workers off the jobsite at Oilsand Quarry Road, Jangal Road, Guapo and three construction areas off Grant Trace, Rousillac. They stopped heavy machinery from entering the construction zones. Police from the Guapo, Point Fortin and Cap-de-Ville police stations took the OAS workers to safety. Although the police kept guard, the protesters prevented water and food from being delivered to the workers and after shutting down the construction site, they again pushed down signs erected by the main contractor OAS Construtora. Leader Brendon Julien said they planned to move to the OAS construction site at Debe today, close to the Namdevco market, where the Debe interchange is being constructed. They also planned to go to Golconda, where the new highway is being connected to the Golconda interchange. Julien said they were displeased with the slow pace of compensation.
He said 32 residents of Guapo have been farming land for more than ten generations and even though they have no legal deeds to the lands, Julien said they have been planting acres of mangoes, chatagne, breadfruit and short crops. But three weeks ago, he said, OAS began clearing the Perseverance Estate without consulting the residents. “We are going to turn up the heat. We are going to show them that we will not allow any highway to be built unless we are properly compensated,” Julien said. He added that Guapo residents should be getting adequate compensation, like that given to Penal and Debe residents. “All we are asking for is fair compensation. We are not asking for title to the lands. They are offering people $5,000 and $4,000. This is unfair,” Julien said.
He added that they were totally in support of the highway. “We know it will bring progress but we believe that this should not be at our expense. If we have been occupying lands for so many generations how can they seize it without consulting with us?”
He said the displacement of residents had not been addressed in the southwestern regions. “They have relocated the Penal residents, but what about us?” he asked. He urged other affected residents to meet with the protesters at 7 am at the Mon Desir jobsite before going to the Debe interchange and also expressed solidarity with the call by activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh for the highway to be reviewed. Nidco chairman Dr Carsen Charles said yesterday claims were being processed but must be investigated after which compensation would be arranged.
