By Shuntel Glasgow
Dissatisfied squatters of Success South, East Coast Demerara are claiming that they were forced to relocate from the lands they had occupied to an undeveloped location further in the backlands that is not served with electricity and water.
The instructions to move came from the Ministry of Housing and Water, the residents claim. The residents said they were told by the Ministry they had three days in which to pull down their structures. The residents further said then they then had to rebuild so as to provide shelter for their families. Approximately 15 families occupy the area.
The residents who spoke to Stabroek News admitted they had been squatting on lands at Success South. They, however, described the Ministry’s hasty decision as ‘bittersweet’ as the house lots they were offered further in the backlands were valued at $500,000. When Stabroek News visited the site, infrastructural works on the vacated lands were underway as contractors were seen excavating while others were spreading loam to pave new roads. But even as loam was being applied, the residents told Stabroek News that taxis were refusing to transport residents into that area. To access this section of the village from the main road, the residents say, it takes a long time
Last Wednesday, residents were devastated when strong winds and torrential rain ripped roofs off several homes and severely damaged others. This, the residents blamed on the limited time given to relocate and rebuild their homes which resulted in fragile foundations, thus many of the structures lacked the requisite support in adverse weather conditions. The Stabroek News observed many homes without roofs and others shattered, other homes were covered with tarpaulin while others were mounted on hollow blocks provided by the Ministry after the storm. The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) distributed groceries and cleansing products to the affected residents. The Ministry of Housing and Water provided water tanks with one shared between two households but refilled continuously.
The residents who said they feared victimization, told Stabroek News that they were grateful for the lands offered, however, the relocation resulted in great losses because their homes had to be dismantled. Contractors, the residents said, who had been deployed to the area by the Ministry assisted in rebuilding some of the houses that were damaged. Children are forced to stay at home most days because of the long distance to get to their schools. Some residents with bicycles render assistance to others to purchase groceries. There being no electricity, meat and vegetables are not stored and school children are forced to get to school, when they do, in disheveled uniforms.
Some of the questions posed by residents include: “We didn’t had a problem moving but it is the manner in which they did it. They come the Wednesday and tell we that we have three days to move, how can we build back in three days?” “They are filling the tanks, but it’s one tank for two households. Some of the children don’t get to go to school because of the distance and now welfare visiting us. How can that be reasonable?” “We living day-to-day because not every day you get to buy greens and meat because you can’t store it in a fridge. We know that it is a developing area but at least a temporary electricity set up would be good. At night the place is dark… anything can happen.”
In a statement last Thursday, the Ministry of Housing and Water 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 state holding company 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 that had to be relocated 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.
