Interchange brings out the vultures

THE EDITOR: It was reported on Saturday that the Government is discussing the acquisition of land to construct the Curepe interchange. This has brought out the vultures.

We have seen the obscene prices paid for the acquisition of land by other governments. As soon as a government indicates its interest in acquisition of land, the real estate stars and greedy landowners come out of the woodwork.

One agent has already began giving prices for land in North and South Valsayn, although the project is in the Curepe area where there a little if any “high-class” homes. One can see clearly where this person is going with their pronouncements.

The people of Trinidad are being set up to pay super prices for land in this area. What is a fair market value? One of the elements used in the valuation of property is to look at prices of property sold recently in the area.

It is known that valuation is not an exact science. Anyone who reads the newspapers knows that the real estate market is dead. I have seen land being advertised at sky-high prices for over a year. It means this is not a normal market and that super-high prices cannot be attached to land to be bought by the Government (by extension the people).

We have seen where past governments have agreed to pay developed-land prices for inaccessible agricultural lands, thereby robbing the citizens of precious cash resources, which is in short supply these days.

The people must demand that no artificial high price is paid for the land to be acquired. The Government must be held accountable for any lapse in this area. All eyes are on the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, the Commissioner of Valuation and other interested parties.

HERAMAN RAMRATTAN, Penal