“No land, no vote.” That was the ultimatum given to Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal by residents of Picton Street Extension, Diamond Village, on Monday as they protested for land they said they had been promised since 2008. Close to 20 residents and former residents lit tyres and threw pieces of wood and old toys across the road, saying their protest would not stop until Moonilal met with them.
They said many of them were evicted under the People’s National Movement government from the land on which they were squatting, to make way for the development of Picton Settlement for ex-Caroni (1975) Ltd workers. They said when crews were breaking down their homes, Moonilal was on site and promised to help them get lands when his party got into government.
They said a meeting was held in 2011 and they were told that once the lands were developed, they would be given first preference to choose lots. However, they said, people from outside the community had already chosen lots to start building houses.
Moonilal’s response
In a text message response, Moonilal said community representatives were sent to look for the protest but it could not be found and no one else knew of the protest.