The Harrold Road Land Development Company, which the Supreme Court has already determined owns the land at Bozine Town, has rejected the residentsﾴ offer for another time extension to try to have the matter settled, according to their spokesman.
With the latest extension expiring last month, Adell Gray said the hundreds of residents were left with no choice but to return to the Supreme Court to try to have it declare the companyﾴs titles to the land void.
Many residents also claim that they hold title to the same land.
Ms. Gay said she recently had a meeting with Attorney General Alfred Sears to learn his findings of an extensive investigation into the matter, but she explained that she was not at liberty to disclose what transpired during the meeting.
She did indicate that the Cabinet has decided that it is committed to helping the residents secure loans to purchase the properties.
But Ms. Gay said, ﾓThat would be rather difficult because you have persons who feel that they already purchased something and now they have to purchase the same item over again.
ﾓThere are single parents and pensioners who are really not employed at this time and it would be difficult for them to obtain a loan. But I feel itﾴs an excellent idea and a good gesture of the government, but at the same time there are persons who are in different capacities and would find it rather difficult to pay for the properties.ﾒ
She also indicated that the residents are glad that the government has gotten involved in the dispute.
ﾓAll we can say is that the government is on our side and will seek to rectify this situation in the shortest possible time,ﾒ Ms. Gray said. ﾓThe residents are still relying on the government to intervene and have this matter cleared up. The Attorney General is continuing his investigations and has worked along with our lawyers to try to resolve this problem,ﾒ Ms. Gay said.
The residents, who have formed a committee to address their concerns, expect a full report from the Office of the Attorney General on the final results of its investigations, she indicated.
Milton Evans, who represents the residents, told The Bahama Journal recently that the land dispute has been a long legal process, but he said he remains committed to winning victory for the people of Bozine Town.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Blue Hills, Leslie Miller, has vowed that the residents will not have to leave the land they occupy.
The land controversy became public last October after the residents were handed 14 days notice to purchase the properties or vacate them.
Mr. Evans has indicated that the residents have not been given any other notice requiring them to leave the properties, but they are still unclear as to what steps the company would take.
The properties in question stretch from the western boundary of Bozine heading to Knowles Drive, which is west of Pennﾴs Builderﾴs Square.
Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
