Govt to address squatting on Herstelling river dam – Edghill

The Public Works Ministry will utilise an inter-agency approach to address squatting along the Herstelling river dam, which has led to erosion and other infrastructural challenges.
Minister Juan Edghill made this disclosure during a walkabout of the East Bank Demerara community on Monday.

Some of the squatters’ houses along the Herstelling river dam (DPI photo)

“I have asked that the Sea and River Defence Board, whose Chairman is Brigadier Gary Beaton… We will have to work out an inter-agency approach of first of all trying to relocate them with the help and support of the Ministry of Housing,” the Minister is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.
Squatting has been identified as one of the main challenges affecting the community, as it heightens the likelihood of floods there.
Minister Edghill, the DPI report said, noted several instances where the squatters erected shacks beyond the river dam where the high tide meets, endangering themselves. Many of the persons dwelling along the dam are said to be remigrant Guyanese and Venezuelan migrants, who fled economic hardship in the Bolivarian Republic.
There are also plans to address matters related to two kokers in the area, one damaged, the other abandoned, and the narrow entrance to the scheme, which has been blamed for several accidents.
The Minister was accompanied by a team of technical personnel from the Ministry and the Chairman of the Herstelling/Little Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council.