THE battle for Wallerfield is on. So says United National Congress (UNC) constituency co-ordinator for Arima, Sookram Ali.

Speaking to a massive crowd in Arima on Monday night during the UNC’s talkback forum, Ali vowed that the people of the farming village of Wallerfield will not move until they receive mutually benefited relocation in the area and adequate compensation.

Since Government’s proposed E-Teck Park and housing development drive, the drag racing track at Wallerfield has been shut down, while many families might become homeless.

“These Government agencies are saying that everyone in Wallerfield must go to make way for with 60,000 houses.

“The Wallerfield Farmers are demanding inclusion in plans and proposals for Wallerfield.”

Ali went on to add that there was no need to build a city in Wallerfield when Arima is ideally suited to be upgraded into a city.

“The Wallerfield Community has given a resounding no to Caroni Land and not the large Cuban Farms on the Aripo Road, until the resolution and regularisation of the Wallerfield Community.”

“The proposed dislocation of any community for national development must begin with meaningful consultation.”

Ali also added that for the past six years the Government has stopped renewing or issuing new agriculture leases.

Meanwhile, Senator Jennifer Jones Kernahan called for the immediate removal of Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine saying that he is directly accountable to all stakeholders for the subsequent destructive and disruptive actions in the agricultural sector.

She said: “Is it that this administration’s plan is to grab all the prime arable lands in the country for the lavish houses of the rich and powerful, while increasing the number of homeless and dispossessed persons that we see every day.”