Inter-agency approach needed to address squatting in Linden – Minister Rodrigues

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues on Friday met with squatters of Phase 4 Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Earlier in the year, persons with structures in the area approached the Minister after they were excluded from an inventory which was conducted by the Community Development Department of the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

The Minister assured that the team would return to the area to ensure that all structures are accounted for in the inventory. This inventory was done with the aim of regularisation.
In a brief comment following her tour of the area on Friday, Minister Rodrigues noted that in her findings, many persons were found to be occupying lands which are under the purview of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.
As such, an inter-agency approach will be needed to address this issue. She also made an appeal to Lindeners to desist from the act of squatting.
The Minister reiterated that there is no need for squatting as the Government’s housing drive will adequately satisfy the housing needs of Guyanese in every region.

“We are trying our best to have a soft approach but at the safe time we don’t want to put a stamp of approval on an illegality.”
Further, the Ministry of Housing and Water is working towards the development of approximately 600 acres of land which would give some 2000 house lots.