21 Residents of Hague Get Keys to New Homes

Twenty-one residents of Hague Settlement in Trelawny on Tuesday, February 5, moved into their new homes, which were constructed through joint venture between the Government and Food for the Poor.

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, who handed over the keys to the two-bedroom board units, said the provision of the houses is in keeping with a commitment to relocate residents of the informal area of Dump and to provide the necessary infrastructure to create a community.

“We are in the process of completing that commitment by providing water as well as sewerage … this is very important because when Government makes a commitment, it should be carried out,” Minister Davies stated.

In June of 2010, the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited, in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica and the Urban Development Corporation, relocated over 100 families, who were occupying lands known as Dump in Falmouth.

This relocation exercise became necessary to facilitate developments in the town for the accommodation of the new cruise ship pier. Approximately 32 units are being built in Hague and the area has roads, water supply, and electricity.

Dr. Davies appealed to the beneficiaries at Hague to “work with us,” noting that “even as we seek to help, there must be a corresponding contribution from those who are being helped”.

The Minister said the provision of housing solutions, particularly to those in greatest need, is a priority of his administration.

“Since we have been in office, we have not only decided to look at what Government itself can do, but perhaps, equally important, we have sought to work with an institution such as Food for the Poor,” he said.