48 Lima Sands residents get land titles after 2-decade wait

…cement, steel vouchers’ distribution continues

After more than two decades of waiting, the first 48 residents of Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast were presented with their Certificate of Title.
This was facilitated during an outreach led by the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Sherwyn Greaves.
The ownership documents were handed over at the compound of State House, Anna Regina.
On the occasion, Minister Rodrigues expressed her satisfaction at being able to finally deliver on her promise made just over a year ago. In April last year, the Minister initiated the process but the agency was faced with a few bottlenecks, which stalled the process.
The situation was further compounded by erroneous plans and the growing issue of squatting.
“It made it difficult to have a conclusive plan, but we persevered and we stayed faithful to our commitment and today the first set of titles – 48 titles – will be handed out today…I am satisfied that the residents have received their Certificate of Title… The last time I came I promised the residents that they will receive their titles and were supposed to return shortly after to distribute the titles,” she positioned.
The areas for which titles can now be processed include Henrietta, Coffee Grove, Richmond, La Belle Alliance, Lima, Fear Not, Sparta, Windsor Castle, and Hampton Court.
According to Minister Rodrigues, the activity of the processing of titles will continue at the regional office.
One of the recipients of a title, Gregory Tyrell, shared: “Today, I am extremely excited to be the owner of a land. I can go and take a loan now and commence my construction and so on. So, I am extremely excited, thanks to the Minister.”
Altogether, more than six hundred residents will now be able to process their Certificate of Title upon completion of verification. Also, more than 70 residents were also able to uplift their cement and steel vouchers as the distribution process continued in the region.
One resident, Devon Williams, expressed, “I am extremely happy after receiving my voucher for my cement and steel rod. I must thank the Government of Guyana for bringing such an initiative on board, and for assisting the people and residents of Guyana. I am going to start working on my house lot.”
Throughout the day, a number of other housing services were offered including the processing of new applications and Agreements of Sale for Onderneeming and Lima Sands. A team from Guyana Water Incorporated was also on the ground addressing issues.
The steel and cement initiative sees homeowners benefitting from the receipt of steel and one sling of cement for homes being built under $6 million. And the receipt of two slings of cement for homes being built between $6 million and $25 million.
Persons can register for the steel and cement support by uplifting forms from various offices of the Housing and Water Ministry, as well as from the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Head Office; or from any of the sub-offices. Private developers embarking on home construction are encouraged to utilise the housing support as well.