Relocation process for EBD “Sea Dam” squatters commences
The Housing and Water Ministry on Monday began engaging in a relocation process a number of squatters living along the sea defence reserves of Grove, Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Farm, Herstelling and Covent Garden as the agency seeks to altogether clear those East Bank Demerara (EBD) areas of obstructions.
Close to 100 families who had previously indicated interest in obtaining turn-key homes or residential lots participated in this land allocation process, by which they randomly selected their housing lots – measuring 42 feet x 80 feet – at Little Diamond. Meanwhile, another 45 families registered for low-income housing units.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addresses informal settlers along East Bank Demerara sea dam
Each allottee is expected to be able to physically identify their respective lot by Sunday, while efforts to install critical infrastructure would immediately commence.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, in assuring the allottees of the ministry’s continuous support throughout this relocation process, has reiterated the CH&PA’s zero-tolerance policy for squatting and commitment to eliminate squatting in every region.
Based on investigations done by the Ministry’s Community Development Department in January, approximately 317 structures were found along the EBD sea dam, 57 of which were owned by Venezuelan migrants. These sea dam structures comprised 7 at Covent Garden, 15 at Little Diamond, 45 at Farm, 49 at Great Diamond, 86 at Herstelling, and 96 at Grove. However, close to 30 of these structures were unoccupied.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal allows informal settler to randomly select house lot
In light of these discoveries, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had, earlier this year, tasked several agencies – particularly the Housing and Public Works Ministries –to work with these informal settlers on their relocation, stating that the river defences are critical pieces of infrastructure and must be cleared of encumbrances.
The squatters were to get four options under the relocation and resettlement programme. These options were: being provided with an existing turn-key housing unit ready to move in; access to an area at Great Diamond with the necessary infrastructural works already earmarked for persons desirous of building homes; allocations at other schemes; and assistance with building through the President-led Men on Mission initiative, to aid the Venezuelan immigrants.
