ERROR RG P4 15.2.2001 In a front page story concerning the eviction of five former Woodshop residents from the St. George's Rest Home on February 1, a sub-headline stated that Police had been accused of `heavy-handedness' in overseeing the eviction.

Following a complaint from the Police Service, The Royal Gazette accepts that no such allegation was made and that the behaviour of officers at the scene was never in question. The Royal Gazette wishes to apologise to the Bermuda Police Service for this error.

Former residents of the Woodshop are fuming after being evicted by Government again -- just a day after housing officials helped them move to the former St.

George's Rest Home.

The five residents were dumbstruck when Police swooped on Tuesday night after it was discovered Government had not got permission to use the site.

Housing Minister Nelson Bascome admitted last night that things were not properly cleared with St. George's parish council who administer the Secretary Lane building. The minister added that the building was not insured and was still condemned by the fire department.

Michael (Abdul-Mojah) Ebbin was one of the five residents forced out of what he hoped would be his new home.

He said: "Housing Corporation brought around ten to 15 Police. I asked why the Police and was told it was always done that way. I said when did we have to leave. They said `Now!'.'' "I could understand if we had done wrong -- but no wrong was committed. We were not even given until the next day to dislodge ourselves from the place.'' He said the five were offered accommodation at the Salvation Army -- two took up the offer, two declined, while another was left to roam the streets because he was not there during the raid.

The five had moved in only the day before after peacefully moving out of buildings on and around the former Woodshop Plus programme for rehabiliting ex-convicts in Old Military Road, after a court case last year.

Mr. Ebbin said: "Not wanting to fight government we agreed to give them the property for which we owed no rent.

"We thought we would then act in concert with the Government to allow it to get on with its plans for the property.'' "I don't know what I am going to do now but I am homeless again.'' He said the Government had no excuse for the fiasco as both the St. George's Parish Council and the Bermuda Housing Corporation are appointed by Government.

Mr. Ebbin said the Parish Council must have known about the plans because they had been aired in the media days before the move.

And he slammed Premier Jennifer Smith, who is the local MP, for raising cash for the Red Cross' appeal for the homeless in India while ignoring the plight of those on her own doorstep.

Woodshop residents ordered out of new home "This country has all this wealth but we are homeless,'' he said.

He said he would start a campaign to put the homeless on the political agenda.

"I will walk up and down this country and find them and we will fight this issue.'' A picket of Parliament and Ministers' homes was also being considered said Mr.

Ebbin.

Mr. Bascome said: "Bermuda Housing Corporation moved in too quickly and moved those individuals but didn't really think it out with St. George's Parish Council in a new agreement.'' Asked how the move could be made without full permission Mr. Bascome said: "Initial conversations and meetings were to be put together.

"In the interim Bermuda Housing Corporation was trying to get the building to use as emergency housing but they never had final approval.

"The Housing corporation had moved beyond their bounds, moved in and started doing it up.'' Asked about the heavy handed eviction Mr. Bascome said: "A furore was held at the other location -- there was a stand off. We didn't want anything to happen. We work with the Police, we don't deploy them.'' Asked if he had sympathy for the plight of the Woodshop people he said: "Of course I do. That's why we made sure alternative accommodation was there for them.

"I don't think housing is being ignored. I had a quite amicable meeting with Mr. Ebbin and I think the (Woodshop) programme can be successful. I don't think you can say we as a Government are overlooking him.'' Chairman of the St. George's Parish Council Edward Saunders refused to comment about the fiasco.

Michael Abdul-Mojah Ebbin