Cooper’s Pen relocation lacks transparency, tainted by intimidation, says PNP’s Meadows

KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) Trelawny Northern constituency chairman Dennis Meadows is describing the relocation exercise of the Cooper’s Pen residents, particularly those among the original claimants, as lacking in transparency and clarity, and wrought with intimidation and political victimisation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Meadows said residents were advised by the Government of a November 30 deadline to leave the property, but are yet to be clear on their status or progress in the process. “Many are yet to be formally engaged or made aware of the terms of their relocation and have taken to the streets in protest this morning,” he said.

Acknowledging the Government’s position of non-involvement in the private land matter and its surrounding legal issues, Meadows said the Government is now seemingly playing the role as chief bailiff in urging residents to immediately remove from the comfort of their homes and take an unspecified grant amount, and be housed under tents on lands in the Davis Pen area for two weeks.