As in other outreaches by Cabinet teams, land matters took centre stage at Ann’s Grove on the East Coast yesterday and co-operative societies were heavily blamed for the problems that have persisted for many years.
It was explained that Guyana like many other former slave colonies still has land issues dating back decades.
This is in part due to the fact that lands were bought, especially on the coast lands of British Guiana by freed slaves. Those lands were then deemed as communal land and tracing what has become of them over long periods has become a problem because of poor or non-existent cadastral and other records.
The outreach heard that problems have arisen as lands are being claimed by multiple persons.
At the outreach, the issue was raised by Royden Pellew who said that there is a need for regularization since no one is benefiting from the current situation.
“As the building and land stands there, there is no taxes being paid to the local government or also the region or whatever else of taxation is being received. So, if the Government decides to help the people, the people over there to get titles for those lands or property; what it means is that the local Government is going to receive taxes, it also means if you ask a law company to assist in preparing that document then that company also get money, and so it’s a cycle that everyone is going to benefit and the people residing there they will also have a title that they can do further economic good for themselves. So, the Government should consider granting title to those places.” Pellew said
Another villager, Evadne Pellew–Fomundam said she had invested millions in her property which was owned by her parents and is now being told that her house can be destroyed because she is squatter. She said that she is seeking the help of the government in dealing with the matter
“I’m wondering what we can do because we are told we are squatters (and) any time our houses can be bulldozed. Well, I have put in millions in building my home and I want to know my rights”, Pellew–Fomundam said.
In commenting on the issue, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said that there was Dutch Co-op 1, 2 and 3 and the problem lay in two villages: Ann’s Grove and Friends.
Croal further explained that only phase 3 remains under the authority of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and it was only those the Government can deal with at the moment.
“There is Dutch Co-op one, two and three. One and two fall under the Co-op, and three under the Central Housing and Planning Authority. We have an arrangement for one and two, once we receive the necessary request from the co-ops we have been processing tittles and so it can be done but it has to be done through the co-ops where the area is, and three is solely under CHPA.”
Croal said that the Government has been doing its part in processing land but in most cases it is the Co-op that had to put their affairs in order.
“In these cases the Co-ops have to put their houses in order for use to work with. We can derive who owns the land, we can’t derive if payment is made; we have to get that information from the co-ops. Housing needs something to work with and then we can process”, Croal said.
Adding to the exchange, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, whose ministry has responsibility for co-ops, also called them out on the manner in which they are operating. He said that they were non-transparent and have been causing trouble for their members.
“Most if not all co-op societies don’t want to run themselves (as) transparent and accountable and that is creating a lot of issues for their members”, Hamilton noted.
Hamilton added that the co-ops have to get themselves in order as that is the only way issues relating to land titling can move on.
“You are suffering not because of the Government. Let me clear this up. Co-op societies are the problem …not the Government. Once co-op societies regularize themselves and put themselves in order all the things you are asking for can happen. So, until that like getting your title; it’s like pulling teeth to get your information from the co-op societies”, Hamilton declared.
Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC also expressed his disappointment at the manner in which the co-ops have been operating. He said there must be a way forward somehow, even by way of dismantling it.
“When there is a co-op and the land is owned by the co-op or even if a state land is leased to the co-op, the Government’s hands are tied in relation to that land. So, when you are complaining to us here, we really can’t do anything unless we move through the co-op or if the co-op is not with good standing, in accordance with the law we dismantle it, take over the land and get into regularization”, Nandlall added.
The minister said that there will be a move to look into the handling of the co-ops, since some have also been operating illegally and in some instances even extending illegally onto government land.
He said that he, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Housing plan to return to the village on Saturday to deal with the issue.
Also on the outreach were Minster of Public Service, Sonia Parag; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
