The HDC is disputing claims of demolition taking place during an eviction exercise in San Fernando on August 8th 2024.

In a statement it says notices were served to unlawful occupants on July 22nd 2024, with the expectation that those with legitimate claims of tenure would provide written evidence.

According to the HDC, no proof of tenure and/or official documents have yet been submitted, leading to the eviction of unlawful occupants on August 8th.

It says occupants at Steve Achaiba Street, San Fernando were also evicted from their structures, however it received information on August 9th that persons had re-entered their respective buildings, claiming to have Land Titles.

Its statement says “In an effort to ascertain the accuracy of these claims, HDC officials conducted a site visit today
Monday, August 12, 2024, and observed that no structures were demolished.”

The HDC says the Rushworth Street site is intended for a new housing development, adding that the current building posed a health hazard as the roofs contained significant levels of asbestos.

As such, it says the building is to be demolished in accordance with all Health, Safety, Security and the Environment (HSSE) protocols.

The HDC claims it made efforts to relocate the unlawful occupants, and will now seek to re-engage them, in conjunction with the Land Settlement Agency (LSA), to provide a safer and more comfortable alternative.