-residents refuse to leave
Officials from the Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) pulled down two homes and one shop at Yarowkabra on Thursday last and threatened to return to do the same to the homes of about 50 other householders who refused to leave.
Two households had to build temporary structures on Thursday evening while the owner of the shop is counting her losses after the structures were demolished by workers from the Lands and Surveys Commission.
Stabroek News yesterday contacted Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Robert Persaud who subsequently provided a response from the GLSC, stating that the body for some time had been monitoring the group who were located on a plot held under lease by one ‘Scottie.’ “It was however felt that they were employed by Scottie, however “Scottie later complained about them and was told that since he was the lessee they were his responsibility,” the information provided by the minister via email indicated.
It was stated that the commission commenced design and survey work nearby to open up a new area for land allocation. The group, upon seeing the intensified presence of the commission in the area, moved over to the land which the commission intended to develop.
According to the GLSC, persons were verbally warned and signboards were placed in the area advising persons against squatting. The commission said that it also encountered difficulties with unknown persons being involved in “selling” plots of land. A meeting was held with people who claimed they bought land and the police were informed and were present at the meeting, the email added.
“The group of squatters intensified their presence as the Commission’s work in the area progressed and fences were erected as soon as survey marks were placed, persons who were given legal allocations on vacant land suddenly found fences and structures when the surveys were completed,” it said.
This newspaper was told that a decision was taken by the commission to give the persons two weeks to remove the structures or face demolition.
“Notices were served within the required time frame and persons were given up to November 14th to remove. This date was subsequently extended to November 21st after representation was made on their behalf and upon advice of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Despite receiving notices, persons proceeded to
expand and even more structures were added. Officers were threatened when they approached and warned them about this form of action,” GLSC said.
It was also pointed out that the commission had met the group and advised them on the procedures to obtain a plot of land, and some had since complied leading to land being identified for them. “However, the Commission cannot allow them to take possession until the process is complete since this would be against established procedures and would further condone squatting, since there would be no obligation to complete the lease process,” the body added.
It was further stated that the November 22 exercise involved the removal of all unfinished and unoccupied structures as well as fences, and that no occupied structure was taken down. “The Commission intends however to continue this exercise and extend it to other locations in order to get persons to comply and follow procedures to obtain land,” GLSC wrote.
Meanwhile, during a visit to the community on Friday last, this newspaper was told that persons indeed occupied two of the structures while the third was a shop belonging to the owner of the Yarrowkabra Creek.
“I is a man that support the government… this whole generation is PPP. Fourteen children I have… how they gon do this now?” Carl Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday. The man’s mother’s shop was destroyed.
According to Trotman, he was not at home at the time the officials visited and he is under the impression that had his children not been present in the small wooden building they call their home, that too would have been demolished.
“I wasn’t at home, the kids alone was at home, that’s why they ain‘t break this house,” he said, adding that applications for land were made through the Ministry of Forestry and he had even met with Minister Robert Persaud concerning the matter. “Really, I’m a concession owner and I need it… They say BK International want to come. What happen to the people who born and grow here?” he asked.
The man’s mother told this newspaper that she had met with Gavin Agard, of the Guyana Forestry Commission and that he had advised her that the Minister had read their letter of application but that they should continue applying.
“We own the creek at Yarrowkabra. I’ve been flying the government flag for the past 26 years. They come, break it down and shy it away. They take the cruiser and pull it down,” the woman said as she pointed to the flag which was left in the sand outside the home.
Meanwhile, Zillah Emanuel said that although she was promised the land which she and her father’s separate homes occupied, the officials have now indicated that the land is government reserve. “They say is lease land but I say how is lease land and they give we this land,” she asked.
The woman, who is mother to five children, aged 10, 7, 5, 2 and 1, said her house was pulled down and there was no talk of compensation to assist her in rebuilding a home. Instead, the woman said she and her husband made efforts to erect as best as possible, a zinc-structure close to where their small wooden home once stood. “They just do what they feel like, they big,” she said.
She added that her father, Richard Emanuel and brother, Troy Emanuel, occupied the second house which was demolished by the men. In both cases, she noted, they were given no time to clear out their belongings and as a result, most of their things were damaged.
Another woman, mother of three Ava Charles, said the men attempted to evacuate her and her children from their home in order to pull it down but she refused to leave, saving her house.
“I sit down in the house with my young baby and I say if y‘all pulling down the house, y‘all have to pull it down with the baby. Me and three children live in the house. I refuse to come out, she said, adding that the officials eventually left with the promise of returning.
Stabroek News walked through the small village and observed fences pulled to the ground and several residents came out to share their story. Among them was Joseph Trotman who said that it is because of the persons who had settled in Yarrowkabra several years ago that the village had developed to what it is today.
“We all are pioneers here. There were no roads. The development, we are responsible for it. I am here since 1972. I cut wood for a daily bread with axe and at that time it was just a few persons living here,” he said, pointing out that the population has now increased to about 300 people who occupy about 50 homes. “These people are peaceful people,” he added.
Other residents highlighted meetings which were held prior to the 2011 elections during which they were encouraged to build and further develop the community.
“The PPP come and had meeting before election and encourage them to build on the land. Philomena Sahoye say “nobody can’t break allyuh down, me name Philomena Sahoye,“ now they want give BK because BK got money” Trotman commented.
Resident of Yarrowkabra for the past 42 years, Maria Gomes, supported this statement, adding that it is not surprising that the government opted to make such declarations before the election but after their power was restored, their “story change up.”
“They come now yesterday [Thursday] and tell them Amerindian people go back to the North West where they come from. Tell we go back where we come from, but this is Guyana and all a we is Guyanese,” she said.
