Residents of the Sophia embankment who had their order to vacate by January month end extended to the end of February have still not been allocated house lots.
According to Chairman of the Sophia Squatters Group, Churwin Dickgrant, the group has been in discussion with the Minister of Housing and Water Harrinarine Nawbatt in this regard.
Nawbatt had told Stabroek News that notices were sent to persons living on the embankments in Sophia informing them to move by January. This was later extended to the end of February.
Nawbatt had said that according to the ministry’s last count some 165 persons were living there and were obstructing government’s execution of drainage and other works. Therefore, he said, the ministry had offered some 44 of them house lots in Sophia and elsewhere. He had said house lots on the West Coast and West Bank Demerara were offered to some of these persons but these were refused. The embankment dwellers disputed this.
Speaking by telephone to Stabroek News yesterday Dickgrant also made reference to a letter requesting an audience with President Bharrat Jagdeo. The letter, he said, was sent off on January 22 but so far they have not yet received a response.
The Group Chairman revealed that they had originally asked for a six-month extension to facilitate their receipt of allocated house lots but this was cut down by five months. However Dickgrant is still hopeful they would come to an amicable solution with the minister.
The Sophia resident said of the 165 persons the Minister had referred to as having to move almost immediately, only one has actually received a house lot. This is the reality on the ground, according to him.
