There are a number of breaches at the Housing Development Corporation's Oropune Gardens development in Piarco, hence the eviction of a tenant who was operating a hardware and commercial shop there early Wednesday.
In a release, HDC Managing Director Brent Lyons said it was during a visit there with executives on Saturday that they saw and confirmed the existence of reported homeowner infractions and breaches and decided to act on them immediately.
During their visit, the HDC team spoke directly with the residents who were in breach of the homeowner rules and advised them "to treat with the situation before the HDC has to resort to its final position of demolition and/or eviction."
The release stated that letters were also routinely issued to many of the residents reiterating the HDC’s position.
Currently, businessman Anthony Knights, popularly known as One Foot, is being evicted by HDC officials and the police.
At his apartment at Building 3A, Knights operated Singles Construction Hardware along with a commercial shop. However, HDC officials moved in early Wednesday morning and demolished the structure where Knights was operating the businesses.
In an interview with Guardian Media, Knights admitted he was given several warnings before, along with an eviction notice.
Knights, who is an amputee, said he has been living there for eight years and recently held a meeting with Lyons.
He said he is the father if four children and was only trying to earn an honest living.
The release "after ensuring that due process was followed, the HDC’s Security Department with support from the TT Police Service, went to Oropune Gardens to begin the removal of illegal structures within the community, beginning with a popular hardware and 'liming spot.’"
Over the past year, the HDC said it had observed and had been taking note of the major breaches made within this community and has urged all those who are in breach and those who would have previously received correspondence to do the right thing and remedy the situation before the HDC takes further action.
However, the HDC continues to underscore that the problems facing Oropune Gardens require a multi-agency, multi-pronged approach to arrive at a resolution.
"We are committed to treating with all issues which fall under our remit and welcome the cooperation of other agencies to resolve issues which are outside of our remit and responsibility."