The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, remains committed to peaceful resolution as it relates to the issues of informal settlers and it says it has dealt fairly with the Success, East Coast Demerara squatters.
In a statement on Thursday, it said that the Success South squatters have had the attention of the agency since August 2020, when the first engagement was held upon a request by Zaman Shaw- Chairman of Better Hope/Success/ LBI NDC.
It must be noted that at that time, the lands were under the purview of NICIL.
Having found this, the agency said it invited persons from surrounding communities to begin the process of lawfully acquiring a residential house lot on 1 October 2020.
This was followed up with a visit from the subject Minister, Collin Croal, and officials from NICIL.
The occupants of the lands were again encouraged to vacate since their occupancy was illegal.
A notice to this effect was published in the daily newspapers with an offer for help to those desirous of moving. The occupants were given up to October 4th, 2020, to vacate the area. After some time had elapsed after the deadline, the Ministry conducted an exercise in December 2022, followed by more engagements with the illegal occupants.
In May 2023, the Ministry met with occupants, and several options for relocation were put forward. These include a low – or moderate-income land at the Lusignan housing development; a middle-income land at Success; or a three-bedroom home, which will be constructed at Success.
Croal, the statement said, also mentioned that the Ministry will assist each person to ensure a smooth process.
On the 12th December 2023- thirty-three of forty-five occupants were allocated.
It must also be noted as recently as February 2024- CH&PA Community Development Department issued Steel & Cement Subsidy forms to occupants. Further, the agency provided water tanks with routine refilling. This measure will continue until GWI is able to facilitate water continuously, the statement added.
In other instances where there were properties had to be relocated as they were this was done with all expenses paid by the agency and the owners were involved in the process.
“The interventions made over the past 3 years are a clear demonstration of the agency’s humane stance on the matter. This will continue to be a hallmark of the agency, and it deals with the issues of squatting”, the statement added.
