Dear Editor,
It is great that “… nearly a dozen squatters have been allocated housing units to relocate.” This was expedited “… the Guyana Government (is pushing) ahead with the $1.5 billion Independence Boulevard Enhancement Project in Georgetown.” Now a lot of people will read this as ‘mere’ news, but if one were to ask the beneficiaries of this Governmental invention, a better perspective will be revealed.
Editor, though informal settlements offer at least some degree of promise to their residents, they lack basic infrastructure to support health and wellness, including clean water, adequate sewage systems, durable housing, and public spaces for commerce and recreation. Also, they are characterized by a lack of most, or all of the basic urban services like infrastructural, welfare, and community services. The picture gets grimmer as squatter communities have to face the lack of basic municipal services, such as water supply, sanitation, waste collection, or infrastructure, and, as expected the people are exposed to diseases, crimes, and natural disasters.
Then in terms of ‘moving out’ from such situations, it is next to impossible, as ‘squatters’ have no legal claim, and therefore, they have no collateral with which to get loans. It is like they are doomed. So, one must indeed be glad that these ‘11 Albouystown squatters’ are on their way in getting new homes.’ In fact, the press has it that the first 11 informal settlers, residing along Punt Trench, Cemetery Road and Saffron Street in Georgetown were already given their housing units and will now be moving forward with a banking institution of their choice, to facilitate an affordable mortgage plan.
Another thing one must bear in mind, and this was brought out by the Government, is that people have a right to ‘safely and humanely’ relocate to areas that improve their socio-economic well-being. So, it’s a move from being in an environment that is unsightly and vulnerable to rodents and spread bacteria, to a place of well-being, where the allocation will see the beneficiaries being issued with Certificates of Title, signalling legal ownership of their new land, and will also give them the opportunity to have legal access to electricity, water and other amenities.
The big picture, and this is from President Dr Irfaan Ali, who stated that “… the (ongoing)project aims to develop the infrastructure in Albouystown (but this is just) a part of the Government’s overall plan to transform all communities across Guyana. Preseident Ali in fact intoned that “We’re providing new areas for recreation, the boulevard, the new lanes of road, the new walkways, enhance the general appearance of the community. But importantly, this project is going to enhance the value here. And it’s not only about this project. We’re going to look at all the cross streets, and all the drains in Albouystown… upgrading them into concrete walkways and pathways and concrete roads, where the space will allow. We’re going to clean back all the drainage. We’re going to set aside a piece of land where we’ll take all the services, give people small areas to have common services, so that they would not lose their economic income.”
According to the Head of State, “… this is something Government is doing in every community to improve living standards and create value and prosperity.” So, truly, Guyana’s Housing Sector has been full revitalized, and the Government will eventually deliver affordable homes to all who so desire.
Yours truly,
H Singh
