Works Ministry goes to court over Curepe land

Hall of Justice, Port of Spain
Hall of Justice, Port of Spain

The Ministry of Works and Transport has sent a request for a warrant to evict five residents expected to be displaced by the construction of a flyover at the Curepe interchange.

Sources at the ministry said the letter to the marshal of the High Court asking for a warrant to be issued was forwarded yesterday, and the ministry is now awaiting a response. Once the warrant is signed, the five people occupying the homes in question will no longer own the properties they occupy, and will have to leave the premises.

Newsday was told the marshal will enforce the warrant, with the assistance of police, and ensure that vacant ownership is given to the ministry.

The confirmation that a letter was sent to the High Court is the latest chapter in the drama surrounding the acquisition of land and properties to build the flyover, which started in 2011.

Newsday understands that 37 parcels of land needed to be cleared to build the flyover and the ministry has activated several aspects of the Land Acquisition Act, including notification of the government’s desire to acquire the land, negotiations over a price for the land, several valuations of the land and properties on it, and even notices of eviction – which government claims to have allowed to lapse twice.

Ministry of Works and Transport legal services head Marvin Gonzales said the residents useed several delaying tactics which have forced the government’s hand. Gonzales also said residents, who are still negotiating for compensation for their properties, have made claims 300 per cent higher than the market value.

Residents claimed in earlier reports that in comparison to the value of land near their homes and according to valuators they hired, their land and homes were valued at $260 per square foot, but government valuators determined the value at $175 per square foot.

Gonzales told reporters the ministry also hired a private valuator, independent of the valuators employed by government, who agreed the amount initially offered by government was at market price.

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"Works Ministry goes to court over Curepe land"

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