News

The embattled communities

Dr. Omar Davies, Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for the areas in question. - File

A TENSE CALM has been hanging over the Arnett Gardens, Jones and Craig Town communities in South St. Andrew for the past two weeks.

The communities have become like a time bomb waiting to explode as they are reportedly on the verge of a bloody turf war. This, residents claimed, has stemmed from efforts by a well known area leader to 'dethrone' George Phang, his brother Andrew and several other community leaders.

This latest impasse has led to the death of two men and the injuring of several others and has pushed the Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Omar Davies, into the spotlight as our 'Newsmaker of the Week'.

What are you as the MP for the South St. Andrew Constituency doing to ease the threat of this impending violence in Arnett Gardens, Jones Town and Craig Town?

"I called a meeting last Friday with representatives from all the communities involved and following discussions it was agreed that they will reduce the tension and bring things back to normality.

Those who have influence over certain sections of these communities will tell them to cool it. There will be some tension still, but it will eventually die."

So what led you to get involved and sort out the situation?

"I was concerned that whatever is happening will affect the education programmes and other positive activities we have going on in the communities. I want to open up the constituency so that people can go through and feel free to move about. But if the people misbehave people will stay away."

Why did you not get involved sooner as the MP?

"Violence and criminality is a police matter and I have always believed that the police should be allowed to do their job. I do not endorse or condone the violence but the police should be allowed to investigate and bring a stop to it."

It is rumoured that there are differences between you and George Phang because he had disrespected you and he no longer has your support. Is this true?

"George has never been anything but respectful to me. Those who are spreading those rumours are illiterate young men who don't know anything."

Who are the dons in Arnett Gardens?

"I don't deal with dons and if there is a don there I don't know him. I deal with area leaders who have the respect of the residents in the community not out of fear but out of what they have done for the betterment and upliftment of the community.

It has been reported that a multi-million dollar housing project is at the heart of the feud. Is this true?

"No. There is going to be construction in the constituency but that is not the basis of the contention. Those who are saying that do not know anything and you can't just take what anyone says and believe it to be so."