Land preparation at Diamond underway for sea dam squatters’ relocation

Several families who are currently occupying a section of the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Sea Defence Dam, between Prospect and Diamond, were invited to another meeting with the Housing Ministry in order to ensure a smooth relocation process.
Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves led the exercise along with the Community Development Director, Gladwin Charles, and staff of the Land Administration Department.
During the first meeting, which was held in January, the agency outlined the process for the relocation, stating that lands would be made available to persons as well as housing units. At Friday’s meeting, 48 families indicated their interest in acquiring the single flat two-bedroom units while another 32 expressed their interest in land for construction.

According to Greaves, an area at Diamond has been identified for those interested in land and the land preparation has commenced. This engagement is expected to continue in the new week with another batch of families.
Based on an inventory done by the Community Development Department, there is a total of 317 structures; including 57 owned by Venezuelan immigrants; Little Diamond, 15 structures; Great Diamond, 49 structures; Grove, 96 structures; Herstelling Sea Dam, 86 structures; Farm Sea Dam, 45 structures; and Covent Garden, seven structures. Of the 317 structures, close to thirty are unoccupied.
Earlier this year, based on a commitment by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, informal settlers residing along drainage and sea defence reserves on the East Bank of Demerara were engaged on relocation, which will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Ministry of Public Works.
With 784 squatters having been regularised in 2022, the Government is continuing its efforts to get squatters illegally occupying Government reserves into their own legally obtained homes by engaging squatters on the sea defence reserve along the East Bank of Demerara.
Housing Minister Collin Croal had made it clear that the relocation process should be completed within the next six months.
The squatters were to get four options under the relocation and resettlement programme. These include 1) being provided with an existing turn-key housing unit ready to move in, 2) access to an area at Great Diamond with the necessary infrastructural works already earmarked for persons desirous of building homes, 3) allocations at other schemes and 4) the Venezuelan immigrants will be assisted with building through the President Ali-led Men on Mission (MoM) initiative. (G12)