Dear Editor,
Eighty-four residents of Bare Root on the East Coast Demerara have finally begun receiving their Titles to land, which they have been occupying for over two decades. From the images seen, persons were, as expected, elated, and relieved after waiting for so many years.
Editor, it is only fair and befitting that I put this “title distribution” into perspective and present the facts leading up to the distribution.
The Bare Root community has been in existence for over two decades, it predates the Coalition Government’s tenure in Office. Persons were allocated lots under the PPP/C government, while they were in office for twenty-three consecutive years, 1992-2015. However, residents of Bare Root did not receive Titles to land, to give them legal rights to ownership during that period.
As I browsed the internet, a headline carried on the website of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, December 2, 2022, captioned, “Promise delivered, 84 Bare Root residents receive land titles after more than 20 years” captured my attention. My immediate reaction was, “this PPP/C regime has no shame!” I believe Mr. Irfaan Ali should be ashamed to read such a headline, carried by an agency he once headed, as the Minister of Housing and Water, since the PPP/C Government at that time failed the residents of Bare Root, by denying them their titles for so long.
Editor, while in opposition the APNU agitated for the issuance of these titles. When the Coalition took office, action was taken. Having been assigned to the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, in April 2019, I continued the work by my predecessor. I recall attending follow-up meetings with then Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams, SC, his technical officers from the Attorney General’s office, Registrar of Titles, Lands Registry, technical staffers from Central Housing and Planning Authority and Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, including Councillors from the Regional Democratic Council, Demerara-Mahaica Region. This and other similar matters were a high priority for the Coalition. Unfortunately, the government changed before this could have been completed.
Editor, credit must therefore be given, to the caring Coalition Government and agencies mentioned earlier, for the work done to correct this egregious Act of the PPP/C. The evidence is there. I am fairly sure that some persons who were waiting for their title have since taken eternal rest without being given the opportunity of leaving titled property for their heirs and beneficiaries.
On behalf of those officials and agencies mentioned earlier, I take this opportunity to wish the title holders every success, as they are now empowered to acquire mortgages and or loans to improve their accommodation and quality of life. You are real landowners now! The long wait is over. To God be the glory.
Finally, I would wish to proffer a suggestion to the PPP/C to use our oil wealth to put mechanisms in place to end the discrimination and ensure speedy issuing of titles to residents of Angoy’s Avenue, in New Amsterdam and other similar communities, who have long been waiting.
Yours sincerely,
Annette Ferguson