Housing Minster raps enforcement officers over failure to act on community violations

…says proactive approach needed tackling squatting, drain blockages

Housing Minister Collin Croal, has issued a strong directive for heightened enforcement and immediate action against violations occurring in communities, including new squatting, unauthorised developments, the obstruction of drains and the improper placement of materials and other items on roadways. Croal made the position clear during a meeting with enforcement officers and rangers on Tuesday at the Ministry’s Boardroom. The meeting was also attended by Permanent Secretary (PS) Bishram Kuppen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Dr Martin Pertab and Head of the Enforcement and Compliance Department, Nigel Hoppie. Croal expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current level of enforcement and alertness, particularly where officers are entering communities, observing violations and failing to ensure that matters are reported and acted upon immediately. He contended that enforcement personnel cannot wait for complaints, referrals or instructions from the central office before responding to violations. Officers and rangers are expected to know their assigned areas, identify emerging problems and take decisive action before those problems become entrenched.

He placed particular emphasis on new squatting, noting that despite the Ministry’s continued public position that new squatting will not be recognised, new settlements continue to emerge. He questioned how such developments can occur in areas that are routinely monitored without being detected and reported at the earliest stage. “If they go into the areas and they are not seeing these matters, then we have a problem,” the Minister stressed. However, he made it clear that enforcement must extend beyond squatting. Officers are expected to identify and act on a range of violations affecting communities, including persons blocking drains, placing materials or other items on roadways and other activities that create hazards, obstruct public spaces or negatively affect communities.
He called for greater responsibility at the regional level, stressing that regional teams must strengthen their enforcement efforts and reduce their dependence on the central office. He also called for stronger collaboration with local authorities and community stakeholders, who can assist in identifying emerging cases and other violations within communities. The Minister further demanded an overhaul of the reporting process, directing that a digital platform be established to allow officers and rangers to immediately upload field reports, photographs and other evidence. He criticised delays in receiving reports, stressing that management must have direct and timely access to information from the field to facilitate swift intervention. Croal made it clear that the current level of performance cannot continue. He stressed that enforcement must become proactive rather than reactive, with officers identifying and addressing violations before they escalate, rather than waiting until matters reach the central office or become more difficult to resolve.

Consequences
Just a few months ago, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall had contended that enforcement agencies such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), must “pull their socks up” or face consequences.
“We have agencies of the state. We have local authorities. We have the police force. We have the public health inspectorate department…So while we can pass the best laws, if they are not enforced, then we are back to zero. So we have to, as a Government, ensure that all these agencies become alive to their individual and collective legal responsibilities and obligations,” Nandlall had emphasised.
He had also reinforced the need for the law to be enforced against these agencies when there is neglect, omission, or refusal to discharge their obligations. “Not only are the delinquent persons who are causing this nuisance or this mischief, not only will they be addressed. But those who are refusing to enforce the law or neglecting to perform their statutory functions, they will also be addressed in the process,” he had noted. Nandlall had further emphasised that “taxpayers’ money are funding these agencies. And taxpayers deserve better.”