By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
LANDOWNERS IN Cousins Cove, Hanover, whose lands were used in the first phase of the multimillion dollar North Coast Highway project, are accusing the government of not honouring its obligation to pay them for the land.
"We have been given a raw deal by the government," said a prominent businesswoman, who asked to remain anonymous. "We were told that we would have been paid prior to the completion of the project but, to date, we have not heard anything about payment."
In addition to the non-payment for their land, some of the landowners are also complaining that the new development, which sees many miles of beautiful roadway linking the resort towns of Negril and Montego Bay, has brought additional misery to their lives.
"If we leave home and it rains, we never dare come back because the water takes over our yards when it rains," said returning resident Ezekiel James, whose property has been transformed into a gorge by the elevated highway. "I told the contractors when they were building the road that this would have happened but they did not listen to me."
Besides Mr. James, who said he paid $60,000 for his land in the early 1980s, other residents of the area complained to The Gleaner that some of contractors destroyed their fencing and fruit trees during the construction of the highway and the National Works Agency (NWA), which has responsibility for the project, has been ignoring their appeals for compensation.
When contacted, Vando Palmer, the NWA's Communications Officer, requested that questions be submitted in writing. The Gleaner complied with the request but almost three weeks have elapsed with no response from the NWA. NWA officials in western Jamaica said they were not at liberty to comment on the issue.
In outlining the negative impact the highway has had on him, Mr. James said he has lost at least 3/4 of an acres of land, which included the fencing which once surrounded his house as well as several ackee, custard apple, guinep and orange trees. The fact that government is now disputing his ownership of the land has further infuriated him.
Based on investigations by The Gleaner, it was discovered that other landowners in other sections of Hanover and in St. James are also awaiting full payment for their land from government. However, unlike the Cousin's Cove residents, some have received part payment.
"I have received over 50 per cent of the payment for my land and I believe that although the second half of the payment is overdue, I will eventually be paid," said one landowner, who asked not to be identified. "I would not want to make a stink about my situation."
With the ownership of some of the lands in Cousin's Cove in dispute, some of the residents are expecting a long-drawn out battle with government for compensation. Some are already contemplating legal action.
