Hopkins Residents Demand Answers Over Mangrove Clearance

The Hopkins Village Council has responded to growing community concerns over recent land clearing along Hopkins Road, assuring residents that the development is not within protected wetlands.

In a statement issued, the council reaffirmed that over 60 lots in the area had been distributed to Hopkins residents several years ago. The ongoing work, they explained, is meant to provide long-awaited access to these properties. “Our people have been lobbying for this access for years, and we are dedicated to providing this opportunity to them,” the statement read.

The council insisted that the land being cleared is outside the wetland boundary, located beyond the canal. They also assured residents that necessary drainage measures are being implemented to prevent flooding.

The council further stated that all legal processes were followed in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasising that their priority remains ensuring rightful landowners can access their properties. Despite the council’s clarification, some residents remain skeptical and have called for further transparency regarding the development’s environmental impact.

Some residents contend that the land being cleared is part of a wetland and unsuitable for development. They fear that removing mangroves could worsen flooding along Hopkins Road. Dissatisfied with the council’s response, frustrated residents planned a meeting this afternoon to demand answers from local authorities.