More controversy is unfolding following the announcement of the master plan for Bernard Lodge, despite statements that no farmer will be denied access to their property. However, our news team has found that this is contrary to what is happening on the ground. On Friday, one of the entrances to farmlands in St Catherine was found blocked with a pile of dirt and rocks. It has left farmers who turned up to care for their crops puzzled by the move which they see as denying them access to their property.
But this is not the first time something of this nature has happened. Back in February of this year, a young farmer was denied access to his property after finding a vehicle parked along the entrance and an armed guard at the location.
“We also heard that he was planning the last entry point to the farm which we currently use right now to access this farm and if that happens that will block us completely from the farm,” a farmer shared.
The area is part of the Greater Bernard Lodge development – a long term project that will accommodate future population growth in the Kingston Metropolitan Region. It’s expected to provide affordable housing. In May of this year, head of the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan implementation committee, Joseph Shoucair announced that the developer is hoping to get started in July, with the laying of water and sewerage pipes.
One farmer is however concerned. According to him, there has been no relocation effort.
“My understanding is that they are supposed to put in irrigation supply but I don’t think that – the last time we met with the SCJ team, they hadn’t started work over there,” a farmer shares. “They indicated to me that July would have been the time for the lands to be ready for the farmers to be relocated but at present that is not so and with Covid-19 on hand now, it makes it even worse.”
CVM LIVE reached out to the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) holdings limited to the state company that controls the Bernard Lodge estate in St. Catherine to find out whether it is aware of the property being blocked and who may be responsible. We spoke to a representative who explained that the information would be passed on to Mr. Joseph Shoucair for feedback.
