The Television Jamaica newscast of Thursday, May 14, reported on squatters in Portmore, St Catherine, basically demanding funds from the Government before they would relocate. Did I hear right?

The same station reported, on April 17, that the Government had bulldozed homes of some squatters in Westmoreland. It is really sad, but how did things get to that stage? I am sure those victims didn't start squatting a year ago. How did successive governments allow the situation to become an epidemic? Good management of the country's affairs should see squatter settlements being disbanded within months rather than 10 or 20 years after they were started.

Bold and laughable

It is laughable that many of these squatters make their homes off the beaten track and then have the nerve to make noise demanding "we want water ... we want light ... we want road", and according to the newscast, even money from the Government to assist in their relocation.

The Government needs urgently to address land ownership in Jamaica, bearing in mind that a significant number of landowners do not have registered titles. The costs involved in owning and registering unregistered land is so prohibitive to the average person that many seek an easier way out by squatting.

I am, etc.,

GARFIELD WHYTE

gaawhyte@yahoo.com

Kingston 6