Nidco: Tobago land acquired by the book

Tensions are rising between the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco) and Crown Point residents as the government is weeks away from starting the ANR Robinson International Airport terminal expansion project.

The $1.2 billion project is expected to begin in January on 53 acres of acquired land between Store Bay Local Road and the airport perimeter fence in Bon Accord.

After residents cried foul last week as Nidco took more land, Nidco’s chairman Herbert George bashed Crown Point residents who claim their lands are being acquired without proper compensation.

He said this issue will not postpone the start of the project.

“It’s not about Nidco taking people’s land and we aren’t paying. This is far from the truth,” he said, adding he is ready to meet with disgruntled residents to resolve the issue in a timely manner.

He reminded residents that the process included compulsory acquisition under Section 3 and Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act which allow the government to take possession of the land. But he said Nidco acted fairly by allowing the residents a treaty arrangement “under the shadow of compulsory acquisition.”

He said, “That is to say, if we try through a private treaty and the people didn’t respond then we would just have to use the law.”

A Section 4 legal notice is valid for six months. During that time the residents were allowed to have consultations with Nidco and provide documentation so that they could be fairly compensated. The six-month period is almost over and George said the State has to acquire all 132 properties before the life of Section 4 notice comes to an end.

Many residents claim their lands were being taken without compensation and that Nidco did not wait for the end of negotiations.

Though negotiations are ongoing, under law, the government still has the authority to acquire the land, George said.

And even in the back-and-forth between Nidco and residents George said no one will be cheated of their property. “We are not taking their lands and not paying for it,” he said.

He said all options and enough time to settle for fair compensation were given and some of the residents disregarded it.

“Some people refuse to meet with us. They are not meeting at all. Here we are talking about land required by the State for a public good. The fact that they have not met with us or are not meeting with us – that doesn’t prevent us from acting in accordance with the law.”

He spoke of another resident who was reminded that the government will soon need the land, but even after the owner was compensated he is now asking Nidco for another month to remove animals from the land. George asked, “Are we serious? We had to take some action to indicate that we had taken possession to preserve the power of the Section 4 notice.

“If we had not done that, the life of the notice would have been over and we would have to do it all over again. Now

what I’m hearing is, ‘How could Nidco take people’s land?’ This is far from the truth. The State has the authority, the State has laws and we are guided by that.”

George explained why Nidco moved to continue the land acquisition on Christmas Eve. He said Nidco had negotiations in August and several home owners turned down Nidco’s offers hoping to get a higher value for their properties. They were asked to justify the compensation they were asking for and return to Nidco. George said no one returned.

“So we went on and in November into December we had another meeting. They moved from what they were asking and we brought a new offer. We gave them notice the State wants the property as of December 14.”

George told Newsday he is unsettled by the claim being made as Nidco had given the residents enough time to come forward with all their documentation and requests before the acquisition process began.

Nidco acquired 92 of the 132 properties needed for the project and all the owners were fairly compensated, George said. He said Nidco has acted and will continue to act within the law and treat all residents affected by the accusation process fairly.

He also reminded the residents that Nidco is not responsible for making lands and homes available.

That was the role of the Tobago House of Assembly.

THA SECRETARY: NIDCO WAS HARSH

However, Secretary for the Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities Clarence Jacob criticised Nidco for moving on the lands on Christmas Eve.

Jacob, the incumbent representative for Canaan/Bon Accord, said, “I think it was harsh by Nidco. I have to represent the people at all times and I think a conversation should have been had with the area representative indicating that there are persons who have to relocate during this period, based on the arrangement at hand. No discussions were had and I am totally disappointed with Nidco that at this point in time to make a move like that.”

He said he doesn’t believe the Prime Minister approves of the direction the relocation process is heading.

“I don’t think the Prime Minister would agree with Nidco to send a letter (to residents) at this point in time. With the kind of love and passion for Tobago (he has), he would not approve to send letters at this time to any Tobagonian to tell them to move out of their place in seven days. My prime minister would never do that…He would not make anybody uncomfortable, especially in this pandemic.”

Jacob added, “I have totally been left out for the operations and I think they need to have a conversation with us and be plainer.”

Asked if he had tried to contact Nidco, Jacob said, “To date, Nidco never had a conversation with Clarence Jacob.”

Does he plan to reach out to Nidco?

Jacob replied, “Reach out? Nidco is a government body and I think as an area representative, government to government we should have more communication. I don’t know if this is political or otherwise.”

George told Newsday he intends to go to Tobago and personally apprise Jacob.

He added, “It is disingenuous to say he is the representative of the area and he doesn’t know anything.”

Calls to Rhonda Hackett, chairperson of Provide Equitable Compensation for Everyone (PEECE) – a group representing all residents affected by the airport expansion project – were unsuccessful.