Residents of Hill Foot, Soesdyke, last night created a barricade across the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and set fire to the road in protest at a court decision.
The ruling by the court resulted in the demolition of a house that occupied a portion of land that was at the centre of the legal challenge.
From videos posted on social media during the course of yesterday, an excavator could be seen demolishing the house. The structure appeared to be empty as the occupants’ personal items were seen in a corner of the land.
In the same video, a man also appeared to resist police arrest.
Police in a statement last night said that following a court order and the subsequent demolition of a property located at Hill Foot, Soesdyke, several persons armed themselves with missiles and offensive weapons before piling and lighting debris and tyres across the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.
When the disgruntled residents began to protest, members of the Guyana Defence Force were dispatched to the area. A video which surfaced on their arrival showed a heavy presence on the ground.
The fire was extinguished and the debris was removed from the road resulting in the free flow of traffic just after 9.30 pm. Occupants who spoke with Stabroek News last night explained that they have been residing at the location approximately a year now.
It was noted that they did not receive any notice about the move but yesterday they were informed by police to remove their items from their home. In the same breath, they were also informed that an excavator was on its way to bulldoze the property they resided in.
“We don’t have nowhere to go, they didn’t give us any notice…” Aubrey one of the affected occupants, who is a pensioner, said.
A woman, Roseann Bobb, explained that they had moved to the area from Region One in search of a better life. She stated that they had applied for lots but were still awaiting a response from Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.
“I done apply but I didn’t get no call. I come here to mek a lil better living. I plant plantains and so but we don’t know nothing about a court case,” Bobb said.
The family has since created a camp close by the land that is under dispute.
Government refutes claims of involvement in private dispute with squatters at Hill Foot
The administration categorically dismisses the malicious attempts to link the Government to the demolition of property and eviction of squatters at Hill Foot, Soesdyke.
There has been an ongoing dispute between squatters and property owner, Lawrence Almeem. Following a civil court ruling, action was taken on May 31, 2023, by the landowner to demolish one of the structures on the land.
Two months ago, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Kwame McCoy met with the squatters and provided a commitment that the Government will fast-track existing land applications for those facing eviction.
The Government has taken note of the spurious attempts by the PNC to attribute blame to the Government for the eviction of the squatters.
This assertion is blatantly false and is indicative of the modus operandi of a failing opposition to fact-check national issues….
The Government continues to appeal to the residents affected by the eviction to conduct themselves civilly and desist from engaging in further illegal activities such as blocking the Linden/Soesdyke highway.
