Children in tears as bulldozers moved in to an area as part of a land ownership dispute. One dog was reportedly killed in the process and others injured. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A LOCAL outreach organisation had dozens of its beneficiaries displaced yesterday after bulldozers ripped through their homes and other buildings in the Prince Charles area as the result of a long-standing land ownership dispute.
Reverend Michael Bullard, managing director of the Ambassador Corral International Association (ACIA), stood by helplessly as heavy machinery razed buildings on the Pine Barren Road property that he and other founding members claimed was cleared of ownership titles when the organisation sought to purchase it over eight years ago.
When The Tribune arrived on the scene, persons could be seen running to and fro amidst the chaos trying to salvage what little they could of their belongings – including clothes, instruments, and pets – from the demolition.
A number of animals kept on the premises were injured and at least one was killed in the process, according to Mr Bullard, who cradled a bleeding dog in his arms as he witnessed the demolition.
“They’re destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars of work we have placed on here,” he said. “The gardens have just been ripped through. The caves that we are preserving with natural habitat life, they just ripped up everything.
“We’re pleading to the Bahamian public to stand with us because honestly this is unfair and it’s an injustice.”
According to Mr Bullard, the group acquired the land from the previous owner around eight years ago. He said at the time of the acquisition, he performed a background check on the land, which revealed that it was “clear in title by The Bahamas government”. The group then started paying the previous owner deposits between $500 and $600 per week for the land.
However, Mr Bullard said suspicions arose over the previous owner’s
credibility when another group of individuals later claimed that they owned the land.
Mr Bullard said the ACIA and this new group went to court on the issue, where he claimed it was determined that the latter did not have enough evidence to suggest that they were in fact in possession of the land.
However, he said someone from this group approached the organisation, offering to help by proving that the previous landowner who sold the property to the ACIA was “bogus.”
Yesterday however, without warning, Mr Bullard claimed that the two sons of the family that claims to own the land showed up at the property with a “court document” stating that they are the rightful owners of the property, thus giving them the legal justification for the demolition.
However, Mario McPhee, ACIA co-founding member, said that the court never served the organisation with any court papers, nor did it provide so much as an “inkling” of information to suggest that this family actually owned the land.
“It isn’t that we stole this land, we did everything by the law,” Mr McPhee said tearfully. “I just don’t know what to say. I really don’t know what to say.
“...What the hell are we going to do? What are we doing if we can’t help our brothers?”
A member of the family that claims to rightfully own the land was present at the demolition yesterday. He did not answer questions from reporters when asked for comment.
According to Mr Bullard, the ACIA raises money to house and care for persons who are “disenfranchised.” He said the organisation also enlists the assistance of various sponsors and individuals who offer their homes, garages, or abandoned buildings to help further the cause.
Organisation members are usually seen collecting funds throughout New Providence in blue and white donation boxes.
Comments
Voltaire 8 years, 2 months ago
Tribune, why are you hiding the identity of the family who perpetrated this disgrace? Why not name them?
jackbnimble 8 years, 2 months ago
The family is not the blame, the "bogus" owner and the attorney that approved the title for the organization is.
Space 8 years, 2 months ago
Fault with one does not negate the fault in the other. The family is absolutely to blame for the way this went down.
Any family which can treat their fellow Bahamian in this way deserves to be named and shamed. It's absolutely disgusting.
racquelle 8 years, 2 months ago
Yes, the family is responsible for the despicable way this went down. Those persons' personal belongings could have been secured, those animals could have been secured before destroying the building. Please notice im not even getting into who is the rightful owner. This is strictly to do with basic human decency. Whoever hired that tractor should have made arrangements to have the personal property removed, with police presence if necessay
BMW 8 years, 2 months ago
Space you need look no further than the ruling party to start the naming and shaming.
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
Also there should be an investigation into animal cruelty if dogs where killed by the tractor driver. It just seems that the rule of law no longer is in effect in The Bahamas. Maybe that is why we have so much crime.
jus2cents 8 years, 2 months ago
Totally Agree!
Mahatma Gandhi — 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.'
Emac 8 years, 2 months ago
I don't know. This is a sticky situation. Sometimes you have to hear both sides and examine all of the facts before jumping to conclusion. Tribune is famous for painting these sad pictures of some horror stories. But when one investigates further, one will find out that the full picture is not shown. But I guess that is what sells. Nonetheless, I can never support anyone that deliberately harms an innocent animal.
Publius 8 years, 2 months ago
Why was the family not named in this story? Who are they, that they were not named?
Economist 8 years, 2 months ago
If this was in court, the names are public. Sooooo Tribune, find out and tell us please.
John 8 years, 2 months ago
Regardless of who is the rightful owner to the property, I always think it is downright disgraceful and unGodly to demolish buildings with people's personal property in them. The law should move against this and only after all efforts have failed to vacate them should occupied buildings be demolished.
EnoughIsEnough 8 years, 2 months ago
I also think it is shameful that the Tribune did not print the names of the "bogus" group and the owners. They happily show faces of everyone who is a "person of interest" (i.e. not yet proven guilty in a court of law) yet keep something like this a secret, when it is public court documents. Who are they protecting? And yes, very sad that this is the end result - I wonder who the legitimate family owners are and if they actually plan on doing something productive with the property or did they demolish for the sake of demolishing, and it will then become overcome and a haven for criminal activity? Hopefully someone with lots of cash who does a lot of community work (i.e. the two big numbers boys) will be able to help out these disenfranchised families.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
God will punish those people who ordered this demolition .......... sounds like Snake and the church in Pinewood ............... God will punish them for this heartless callous action
John 8 years, 2 months ago
They say someone who demolished buildings does take off all he clothes and walk the streets bald naked. Not calling any names.
racquelle 8 years, 2 months ago
If that family had even an ounce if human decency they would have secured those people personal belongings, and secured those animals, with police present if necessary. please note Im not even getting into rightful ownership of the land. Im just saying they are human beings and deserve better than to be treated like this. Despicable!
Bahamianpride 8 years, 2 months ago
Only Heartless animals do things like this to people. Shameful.
Cobalt 8 years, 2 months ago
Really???
In that case, can you please tell me where you live so that I can squat on your property free of charge. That way.... if you attempt to remove me and my children, you will be castigated for being a "heartless animal" as well.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 2 months ago
If it were my property and they refused to leave tehn the dozers will be set loose....
Who told these people they could live there?
That is the real culprit. Sue that person....
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades seeking divine guidance before blogging I done quickly been flipping pages my bible and landed on Deuteronomy 23:1.
The disgusting door judgment exercised by ALL the "Dickheads" who were responsible for ordering and carrying out the bulldozing should ceremoniously have their testicles crushed and male organs cut off.
If you can call for public floggings of immigrants and criminals, why not hold public testicles crushing and male organ cut off events at Rawson Square?
Comrades we could promote it as a double-featured event -
“Justice-Minded Citizens, Come Out See What Happens Da Balls & Pricks of Da Heartless Land Barons – As Decreed In Deuteronomy 23:1”.
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