Waul questions Warmington’s motives to remove squatters in Old Harbour Bay

The veteran politician, known for his unfiltered remarks, accused the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) of negligence and criticized the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Works Minister Robert Morgan, for their handling of the matter.

Warmington explained that he had initially sought to resolve the issue through private channels but felt compelled to raise it publicly after failing to make progress. However, his comments have drawn skepticism, particularly from Dr. Kurt Waul, the newly elected councillor for the Old Harbour South Division and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) candidate set to challenge Warmington in the next general election.

The Bourkesfield Meadows development, constructed in 2004 under an agreement with the Venezuelan government to house victims of Hurricane Ivan, remains incomplete to this day. Critical infrastructure such as streetlights, sewage systems, drains, and roads were never finalized, leaving the community in a state of disrepair. Many of the 75 units were vandalized and subsequently occupied by squatters, preventing the intended beneficiaries from taking possession of the homes. The HAJ has been working to remove the illegal occupants and allocate the houses to the designated hurricane victims.

In response to Warmington’s statements, Dr. Waul accused the MP of being disingenuous. He pointed out that Warmington has held the constituency seat since 2002 and questioned the timing and motives behind his sudden public concern about the squatters. 

“I have walked through and visited that housing development many times, and most of the units are occupied. Many of the occupied units have even been expanded,” Dr. Waul told Old Harbour News in response to an article published in the Jamaica Observer. “I was unaware that there was a squatter issue inside the development. What is stark, however, is that the development has been abandoned by the Member of Parliament since it was handed over by the Venezuelans. The amenities, such as roads and sewage, are in a deplorable state.”

Dr. Waul noted that if the reports are accurate, the HAJ would have been aware of the squatting issue since 2005. He questioned why Warmington had remained silent on the matter until now. “It would be interesting to know what the full motives of Mr. Warmington are in enquiring about squatters publicly at this time,” he said. “It would be prudent for a new investigation to be conducted to ascertain the current reality inside the scheme and take the necessary steps to regularize these citizens.”

Dr. Waul also expressed concern over Warmington’s apparent exclusion of him from discussions about the issue. “What is very appalling about the actions of Mr. Warmington is his continued efforts to sideline me, the sitting councillor of Old Harbour South, where Bourkesfield Meadows is concerned. He convened what he dubbed a stakeholders’ meeting regarding squatting in my division, yet I was not invited.”

Dr. Waul urged state agencies to investigate Warmington’s motives, stating that his “seemingly altruistic concerns should not be taken at face value”. “I urge the agencies of the state to investigate what the motives of the MP are, as his actions raise serious questions,” he concluded.