Housing compound dwellers call for regularisation of Guyhoc lands

Some 15 households located at the Guyhoc Park housing compound are calling for regularisation of the lands they have been occupying for years.
When Junior Communities Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood, who has responsibility for Housing, visited the area recently with officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), the residents noted that some 70 persons are living in the complex.

Some of them had been assisted by the previous administration, who provided the space as a temporary setup because of social issues at that time. However, the numbers multiplied, and persons have been living at the site for many years.
Now the residents are calling for electricity and water to be supplied to each household, along with regularisation of the land to ascertain ownership. Many explained that they did not develop the area because their occupying the land was just a temporary solution, until another location was identified.
When Adams-Yearwood offered to move these persons to the East Coast of Demerara, only a few agreed with that suggestion. She explained that for the lands to be regularised, an assessment is needed to ensure that the area is healthy, since a sewage operation exists in close proximity.
According to her, some persons would eventually have to move, because the area can facilitate only a limited number of households.
“There are a number of things we have to take into consideration; and moreso, you’re next to the sewage. If we’re going to regularise you, we have to take health [and] environmental situations into consideration,” Minister Adams-Yearwood told the residents.
“Some of you would have to move… The only place I can think of right now that’s available is on the East Coast… So we have two options: those who can remain and those who would have to be moved,” she added.
At present, the houses are supplied with electricity and water from three utility pipes in the yard. Most of the roofs have been replaced with plastic, which require constant changing.
A few elderly persons who resided within the compound were given house lots, to which they have since relocated. The present residents have formed a committee which will work with the CH&PA in determining the next steps to improve their living conditions.
It was previously mentioned that the two main areas for land distribution are Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and on the East Coast in areas such as Mon Repos, Good Hope, Annandale, Cummings Lodge and Foulis.