Only a part of the squatter-filled Skull City can be regularized, according to Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali.
He has reiterated that squatters at Skull City, La Grange and Plastic City in Region Three who have been occupying unauthorized lands over the past few years will be relocated, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported Friday.
Minister Ali and a team of officials from the Housing Ministry over the past few months have been meeting with squatters to encourage them to remove and to apply for house lots through the ministry.
Ali said that according to a condition and occupation survey completed by his ministry in the Skull City area, only a section of the land occupied by squatters can be regularised. Those who have taken up residence in burial grounds will have to be removed since their living conditions are posing tremendous health risks to themselves and families.
He said further that as it relates to Plastic City the study has concluded that persons will have to remove completely since the environment is not conducive for housing development.
“The area cannot be regularised, they are living on the boundaries of the sea and as a result of changing weather patterns, climatic conditions and issues of global warming, government is taking a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of the people,” Ali is quoted by GINA as saying.
He noted too that a phased removal will be conducted over the next three months to have squatters relocated.
Several contravention notices have also been issued for the removal of squatters who have been occupying sea defences and the Guyana Water Incorporated’s shelter belt reserve.
Meanwhile, other areas such as Sophia and aback the CARICOM Secretariat and the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal which were previously occupied by squatters are continuously being monitored by the Housing Ministry, Ali added.
