Govt advances Region 2 land regularisation; infrastructure in Charity, other communities

– major drainage and sea defence projects to support housing

The Ministry of Housing and Water through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is accelerating efforts to address land regularisation and critical infrastructure development in the Charity area and other surrounding communities along the Essequibo Coast as part of its broader housing expansion programme in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
During the allocation of house lots in Anna Regina, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal disclosed that while many residents in Charity have already been allocated house lots, access to the land has been delayed due to persistent flooding issues. However, targeted interventions are now being implemented to ensure those lands become construction-ready.
“There are persons who have been allocated in Charity, and you’re obviously asking when you’ll have access to your land… We can show you your lot today, but that’s not the issue. The issue is the condition of the land due to flooding.” Croal told residents
To address this, Croal explained that a two-pronged approach is being undertaken by the Government.

The Drainage and Irrigation Authority is installing new drainage pumps to improve water removal in low-lying sections of Charity, while the Sea and River Defence Department is executing revetment works along the Charity riverfront to prevent water encroaching in residential areas.
“This issue is being dealt with from two fronts. Additional drainage pumps will be installed to serve the entire Charity area, and sea defence work is being done to protect the riverfront,” he said.
He emphasised that the Government is committed to ensuring that once residents are shown their lots, they can begin construction immediately, without delays caused by flooding or poor infrastructure.
“We don’t want to just show you your lot and leave you with a dream… When we show you your lot, you must be able to start building tomorrow. That’s the kind of responsible Government you have,” Minister Croal asserted.
Beyond Charity, the Housing Minister also provided updates on land ownership and survey work in several communities across the coast, including Lima Sands, Paradise, Jib, Mariah’s Lodge, Walton Hall, and Good Hope Reserve.
In Lima Sands, Croal reported that a full block and occupation survey has already been completed, and a cadastral survey is now underway to facilitate legal ownership.
“We have numbered all the buildings and created an inventory of residents, and sometime by the end of August, those who have not yet received titles in Lima Sands will be able to receive ownership,” he announced.
In Paradise, Jib, Mariah’s Lodge, and Walton Hall, similar work is ongoing, with cadastral surveys near completion. Approximately 60 lots are being processed for ownership in these areas.
“Those persons who have been waiting in these communities will also receive their titles soon. These are not empty promises; we are working through the system,” Croal said.
The Minister noted that many of these issues stem from old alignments and informal occupation, but the Ministry, alongside the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, is working collectively to resolve them.
“Every area has its unique challenges, and all agencies – Housing, the AG’s Chambers, and Lands and Surveys – are collaborating to fix these longstanding issues,” he explained.
At Good Hope Reserve, approximately 40 lots are currently under review for regularisation, with land plans being updated to determine rightful ownership before any progress can be made.
Croal shared that between 2011 and now, over 226 lots have been regularised across Region Two, and an additional 190 are currently being processed for title issuance.
These efforts are part of the Ministry’s broader vision to move informal settlers into formal, legal homeownership structures.
“Ownership is equally important. You can’t build a future on uncertainty, and that’s why we’re investing in these surveys and legal processes,” Croal said.
The Minister reminded residents that occupying land without formal allocation complicates the development process and affects other families who are waiting for their chance at homeownership.
“When you go and occupy a land that does not belong to you, you’re affecting not just yourself, but the development that was intended for someone else,” he cautioned.
Minister Croal also revealed that the Government has so far invested over $3.3 billion in housing infrastructure along the Essequibo Coast, including roads, drainage systems, and utilities.
He stated that further investments will follow to support new and existing housing areas, particularly those affected by environmental or legal challenges.
Also attending the distribution exercise were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Region Two Housing Officer Kavindra Persaud, representatives from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), representatives from Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), banks and insurance companies, among other regional officials.