The 259 families who had been occupying the state reserve on the Lamaha Railway Embankment between Ganges and Parade streets have been relocated to Region Three to make way for GPL expansion works.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the families have been relocated to Westminster, Region Three. “We want to thank the people for their understanding and we express to them our gratitude in meeting the deadline,” the minister said. He also said government has made good on its commitment to provide house lots and proper infrastructure for the families at Westminster. “We will continue to work with them to ensure that they settle properly and they enjoy a decent standard of living,” Ali said.

He said too persons who had applied for individual service connections are now accessing water supply and electricity.

The minister said the land is in the process of being handed over to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for major network expansion. The power company had said that the expansion of its services was being hampered by illegal structures in areas that had been set aside for its exclusive use. GPL plans to install a 69 kilovolt high-powered transmission line from Kingston to Sophia.

Ali said focus will now be placed on other squatting areas such as Skull City at La Grange and Plastic City, Region Three.  “Those two are on the radar…We are going to go into those areas and consult with the people to discuss with them better way of living and moving so that they can have a higher standard of living,” he added.