The Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) yesterday warned about the purchase of land at Amelia’s Ward/Fitz Hope, Phase 4, Linden outside of its official processes.
In a notice in the Stabroek News, the ministry said: “It is important to note that these lots have already been allocated to specific individuals, surveyed, and the legal processing of documents for these lots is underway. Therefore, the Ministry is not obligated to honor any other transactions made outside of the agency for these lots”.
The ministry said that it is aware that individuals have been fencing and building structures on some of these lots as well as an area identified for a burial ground.
“These practices are illegal and will result in losses to the owners of these structures”, the ministry admonished. It added that the illegal practices are hindering hundreds of families from legally occupying their lots.
Yesterday, during a visit to Phase 4 Amelia’s Ward/Fitz Hope, Chief Execu-tive Officer of the CH&PA Sherwyn Greaves reiterated a firm stance against squatting in the area. The CEO’s impromptu visit was prompted by a surge in illegal occupation of residential lots and unauthorized construction on lands allocated to families through proper channels by the agency.
A CH&PA release said that reports indicate that individuals have been unlawfully selling allocated lots, advising buyers to apply through the agency and falsely claim occupation since 2017. Greaves warned individuals who have fallen victim to this deception that any illegal structures on these lands may be demolished, and the Ministry is not obligated to honor any claims arising from such activities.
Greaves urged legitimate landowners in the area to be vigilant and assist the agency in monitoring the area to prevent squatting on their lands. He assured the public that the Ministry is working in the interest of all eligible applicants, seeking additional lands from NICIL and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.
