76 informal settlers in Reg 3 receive land titles

A total of 76 residents from regularised sections of Greenwich Park (Railway Embankment), Stewartville/ Uitvlugt Sideline Dam, and Tuschen (Railway Embankment) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have received their Land Titles during an exercise held at the Greenwich Park Primary School on Thursday.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal presented the Certificates of Title to a number of residents at the activity. Parliamentary Secretary Vickash Ramkissoon and Regional Chairman Ishan Ayube also handed over some of the Titles during the event. Other regional officials, the Director of Community Development at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Gladwin Charles; and staff were also present.
The Minister has said that the regularisation process is a part of the Government’s plan to transform the country and improve the living conditions of Guyanese.
“We understand that you require development for yourself, and development for yourself has to start with you having the ability to own your own space,” Minister Croal said.

He further noted that the Titles put the landowners in a position to provide safer and more stable housing for their families.
A total of one hundred seventy-four (174) informal settlers have been residing in these three areas for years. Registration for the ownership documents was done during December 10-11, 2022, following a meeting with the Minister in September 2022.
Processing of the remaining Titles will continue with the cooperation of the other persons.
Croal further noted that the Central Housing and Planning Authority recorded some 13 squatting areas in the region after an assessment last year, and the agency will be working to deliver Titles to these areas during the first quarter of 2023.
He further noted that no new squatting area will be recognized, as Government takes a strong stance against the illegal activity and the Ministry of Housing and Water has also implemented a structured housing programme that eradicates the need for squatting.
In zero-tolerance zones, the Minister said, CHPA will have to proceed with relocation and resettlement programmes, which would be done with a humanitarian approach, to ensure that all parties are satisfied. To this end, the Minister pleaded with residents in squatting areas to do the “right thing” and work with the Government to facilitate a smooth process.
Bibi Farida Khan, who has been living at the Stewartville/Uitvlugt Sideline Dam for more than four decades, expressed satisfaction with the work of the Ministry on Thursday. She noted that the land title now represents a legacy she can leave for her children, and is ecstatic that she can close this chapter of her life. “Now I get my title, so I’m very happy [and] proud of the Government for doing something good for us.”
Another resident of the Sideline Dam, sixty-five-year-old Rohan Kishun, who has been residing in the area for close to forty-five years, also spoke of his contentment with the work of the Government. With his ownership document in hand, he now plans to renovate his home.
“Me gah mek up me place and so on, and live better,” Kishun said, as he expressed his happiness at receiving the title.
During Thursday’s activity, several infrastructural projects ongoing in the region were highlighted by the Minister, including the Schoonord-to-Crane Four-Lane Highway. Construction is also ongoing on the first 100 low-income homes through an MoU with Republic Bank.