Regularisation of lands facing several hurdles

Some of residents who attended the outreach at Friendship, East Bank Demerara.
Some of residents who attended the outreach at Friendship, East Bank Demerara.

-President tells Friendship residents during outreach

President Irfaan Ali accompanied by a ministerial team met with residents of Friendship, East Bank Demerara yesterday, during an outreach to address their concerns.

Most of the issues ventilated were related to housing, due to the preponderance of privately owned lands within the community, some of which have delayed development as a result of pending court cases and disputes.

In addressing concerns from residents regarding the regularisation of the squatting area, President Irfaan Ali highlighted the complexities involved. He noted that many of these lands are privately owned, and some are entangled in disputes, posing significant challenges for development. However, despite these hurdles, the Ministry of Housing has been actively working to regularise the area, while urging residents to remain patient with the process. The Ministry also faces additional challenges, including overcrowding in the squatting area, as they strive to resolve these issues.

President Irfaan Ali engaging residents at the outreach.

“There are plots of lands that are privately owned along the East Bank that you would like to regularise and get ownership of, but we have difficulties with those lands because they are privately owned. We have had occasions on the East Bank where we try to put infrastructure in those areas to enhance your living standard and the owners of those lands have gone to the court to block the development work,” Ali explained. 

Local government issues were raised concerning the Neighbourhood Demo-cratic Council (NDC), sluice construction, and drainage systems. Issues regarding public infrastructure were raised, specifically deplorable roads and street lights.

“I have asked for a comprehensive drainage plan to deal with the main canals, for the agricultural lands and community drainage. There are the two roads that remain to be completed and we will have the special projects unit from the Ministry of Public Works starting those works within the next week and a half so that the two roads can be completed.”

Many residents express-ed concern about vulcanizing shops and tire shops which President Ali acknowledged is an issue raised in many communities, even in residential areas. He pledged that the government will try to minimise the impact on communities.