Comissiong offers Africans housing
by MELISSA ROLLOCK

Posted: Apr 15, 2008 14:12 UTC


BRIDGETOWN - The 32 West Africans now housed at the Barbados Defence Force's Paragon base in Christ Church have been offered alternative accommodations by private citizens.

Co-chairman of the Global Afrikan Congress, David Comissiong, said he and a team of individuals who visited the group of Ghanaians and Nigerians last week had managed to secure commitments to house all of those staying at the base.

". . . We are in a position to take as many of the 32 Paragon 'residents' who wish to relocate to less restrictive accommodation within Barbadian civil society," he stated in a letter dated yesterday, and addressed to Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Senator Maxine McClean.

He pinpointed Archbishop Granville Williams of the Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church as one offering shelter at his guest house in Pickwick Gap, St Michael, which can accommodate ten people.

Others included attorney Robert "Bobby" Clarke who has committed to housing four. Attorney Ajamu Boardi has offered to accommodate two; Beachview Apartments, Worthing Christ Church, two and tour operator Athurine Reece another five people at her apartments in Bank Hall, St Michael.

In addition, another ten individuals, including Comissiong, are willing to provide shelter for one person each.

Comissiong said the "team" of individuals would take responsibility for transporting their charges to the official meeting area or facility once the authorities informed them that the arrival of an aircraft was imminent.

During a visit to the base last Wednesday, Prime Minister David Thompson said Government had no intention of holding and deporting the Africans who were stranded here since February after a Ghana Airways flight brought them here but did not return to take them back on February 15.

At the time, Thompson said the Paragon base would serve as a facility for those who were unable to fend for themselves as well as a place where they could be easily found since Government was making arrangements for their return home.

However, in his letter, Comissiong said all of the West Africans felt they were under detention and that they could not leave the precincts of the army base. He said they should be treated as guests and guests who experienced misfortune.


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