Squatter settlements increasing in Portland

Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

Informal settlers occupying lands along river banks in Portland continue to ignore warnings from the Portland Parish Council and various environmental groups about the danger posed to them during torrential rainfall and storm surges.

Port Antonio Mayor Floyd Patterson said that, despite public education about the ravages caused by rivers overflowing their banks and posing serious threat to life and property, squatter settlements were on the increase in Portland.

"We were spared during the recent heavy rain. There are at least five squatter settlements in Port Antonio, and this falls within a two-mile radius," Patterson told The Gleaner. "Persons continue to build along river banks and along the shoreline, without giving any serious consideration to the possibility of loss of life."

He added: "Houses are being built less than 15 feet from river banks, and some of those structures are concrete."

The five squatter settlements are located at Bryans Bay; Boundbrook - adjacent the old railway line; along the Folly strip near Anchovy Gardens; Stony Hill at the old reservoir property, and near to the old marina property.

But while repeated warnings have been issued to the informal settlers, more citizens have in recent times taken up residence indefinitely on government pro-perty and protected wetlands.

One squatter, who spoke with The Gleaner on Monday and gave his name as Carlton, said he had nowhere else to live and was forced into capturing a piece of property in the Boundbrook area, in proximity to a river.

Third home

"I have been living here since 1996," Carlton said. "This is my third home right at this spot, as my home was first washed away in 1998 during flood rain. At that time, I lost two goats and 60 chickens that I was raising. I lost a second house in 2003 and that was probably the worst loss as, after the rain started, I went into a shelter at Port Antonio High School. When I returned the following day everything was gone."

While squatter settlements continue to increase in number, concerns have been raised about health-related issues and the likelihood of an outbreak of water-borne diseases, or a possible epidemic in areas where there is little or no access to treated water.

"More restrictions are to be put in place to reduce the likelihood of any future increase of squatter settlements. We have to ensure that persons are made aware of the dangerous practice of building along river banks," Patterson said.