Blairmont squatters given 6-month extension to complete relocation

Sixteen informal settlers residing along the reserve at Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have been granted a six-month extension to complete their relocation process.
Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, met with the families at the community centre on Wednesday, as she wrapped up a series of public engagements in the region.
The families were allocated lands by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) at the nearby Balthyock Housing Scheme in October 2021, and had agreed to relocate by January 2022.
After they failed to vacate the area, they were served a second notice, giving them up to July 2022 to vacate the area. So far, only three persons have relocated, a release from the Housing Ministry has said.
During the meeting with the Minister, the residents stated that while they are eager to move, financial constraints have prevented them from so doing. And after listening to the residents’ plight, the Minister granted them the extension.
She told them that the President Ali-led Administration is a caring Government, and that a humanitarian approach is being used to ensure that both the residents and the Government are satisfied.
However, the Minister has also reminded that squatting is illegal, and she has urged them to cooperate with the Ministry.
She also said there is no need for persons in the region to squat, as the Government’s robust housing drive would satisfy the region’s housing demand.
As part of interventions to facilitate the smooth movement of residents, the Ministry would be partnering with the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) to assist elderly residents during the relocation.
Present at that meeting between the Minister and the residents were the following persons: Member of Parliament and Regional Representative Faizal Jafferally; Director of Community Development at CHPA, Gladwin Charles; Vice-Chairman of MMA-ADA, Mohamed Zaid Rafeeoodeen; and other officials.