By Javone Vickerie On Wednesday, members of the Mahdia Arcade Committee came under attack by squatters during a demolition campaign to remove shacks from the area outlined for the marketplace.The demolition campaign was in the making for the past two years and was supported by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 8.In 2010,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, fire destroyed two dozen buildings in the Mahdia commercial zone. The Ministry of Housing has since regularised the area and created a neat layout for the erection of 28 stalls. But, the area is now a squatter settlement.Government on that occasion provided $20M towards rebuilding the arcade and an additional $5M to clear an area for a new housing scheme. Based on reports, the land for the housing scheme has been cleared and persons are now identifying plots.Chairman of the Mahdia Arcade Committee, Floyd Herman, told Kaieteur News on Thursday that a notice was sent out to the squatters giving them a deadline of May 30 of this year to remove from the spot. He said that “sending out notices is not enough since some squatters are determined not to remove”.Herman explained that after the devastating fire, squatters used some of the debris along with theirs which were in their possession and started to build shacks where they sold a number of articles; without paying stall rent.According to Herman, there was not full support of the police who accompanied them, attired in “plain clothes” for the demolition process. He said that during the demolition on Wednesday,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Store, the squatters began to threaten and attack the workers who were hired to evict them.He also made mention that “to think that with the presence of the police it would create a sense or law and order, it was like they were not even there”.“The people started to pick back up the bits and pieces and started to rebuild. We need a solution to this, because it is going on for way to long”,Cheap Jerseys, Herman noted.He added that during the period between Wednesday evening and Friday morning,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the illegal squatters were seen rebuilding the shacks which had been demolished. Herman noted that 28 “registered” stalls are in the arcade with an additional six who vend illegally.Some $11.4M was used to clear debris from the burnt arcade area, and to erect five proper concrete walkways and washroom facilities. Another $8.6M was used to purchase and transport building material including cement and steel.However,NFL Jerseys China, when contact was made with Regional Chairman Mark Crawford, he explained that Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali had requested that the then REO Ronald Harsawack oversee the rebuilding and rehabilitation process.Crawford also made mentioned that after some time, the six persons who took up residence were issued notices to “voluntarily” remove from the premises but like all other occasions, the occupants did not adhere to the instructions and as such continued to take up residence.On that same occasion back in March 2010, Minister Ali then gave the illegal squatters a six-week ultimatum to remove from the premises – a request which they refused to heed.Crawford believes that the occupants took refuge of the area due to the fact that a former REO had given vendors the opportunity to “temporarily” sell at the location but instead they took up permanent residence, due to the fact that a time frame of their stay was not mentioned.