Shanty town residents distressed over first notice

Shanty town residents distressed over first notice

Shanty town residents received their final eviction notice two days ago, as the July 31st deadline to vacate is fast approaching.

Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes told the media earlier this week that more than 50 per cent of residents have already relocated, however some of those who have remained in those unregulated communities told Eyewitness News that they are still figuring out their next move.

Jean Smith, a resident of a shantytown just off of Carmichael Road said told Eyewitness it’s hard to find an apartment when you have a big family.

“The last landowner I spoke to told me she would only rent to me if I had one child. I have four,” Smith said.

“Other persons in this area have more than four children here. It’ll be hard for them to be a tenant.”

An 11-year-old girl who goes by the name of Deja, told Eyewitness News that she was heartbroken after seeing the notice.

“I’m heartbroken because I won’t be able to see my friends anymore,” she said.

“I was born in Nassau. I’ve only been to Haiti once. I don’t want to go to Haiti.”

The young girl stood with two of her friends as they all expressed that they did not want to leave the only home they know.

The notice, plastered on every door is the first of three rounds of notices to be issued to shanty town residents.

If those notices are not taken seriously, the government promises to come in and remove residents from the properties.