Over 1 dozen Annandale squatters to be relocated within 3 months

The Government of Guyana is moving to relocate over a dozen squatters in Annandale, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), due to their proximity to the sea defence.
This was revealed during an impromptu visit by President Dr Irfaan Ali and a team of Government officials to Annandale North: Sand Reef and Marshon, where he interacted with residents on Friday.
During the visit, the Head of State provided an update on plans in place to move squatters who are living close to the sea defence.

President Ali explained that over 60 households have already been regularised in one section of the Annandale squatting area. Those titles have already been distributed to the residents there.
However, he disclosed that there are about 15 households in another section of the squatting area that cannot be regularised. As a result, the Ministry of Housing and Water has since offered those families alternative lots and homes.
“So the 15 structures that we have here, we’re working now on a set of low-income houses that we would help to get you qualified with New Building Society (NBS), for example. We’re going to get everybody qualified. We’re going to put in some help also from the Government… Let us all work and prepare in our minds that we have to move within three months,” the Guyanese Leader stated.
The residents have already agreed to relocate within the timeline given. According to the Head of State, the Government will ensure that they are relocated to a community along the East Coast corridor.
One resident had asked about this, especially since many of the squatters are fishermen and need to be close to the shore. In response, the President indicated that he cannot say exactly which area they would be allotted, but reassured that there are several new housing developments along the ECD.

President Ali went on to point out that one of the challenges with squatting is that structures are usually erected along important reserves, like sea defence reserves and drainage reserves.
“This section we can’t regularise at all. It’s almost on the sea defence dam, and it’s almost in the main canal that we have to develop,” he explained. “We want you to have better conditions to live under. Let us all agree that this is unacceptable for you, for your children, and for us as a Government. We want you to do better. We want you to be able to have access to good water; access to electricity, so that your children all can go to school and they can learn; and [we want] to give you the best environment in which your family can develop,” the Head of State related.
To this end, President Ali outlined the infrastructural works that would be undertaken in the community soon. He explained to the residents that works would soon start on rehabilitating the main roads as well as crossroads in the section of Annandale that was recently regularised. This, he indicated, wouldl be done in collaboration with the community.
“In terms of the area that we have regularised…we have already launched a programme where we want to work with the community themselves in building concrete roads. In one month, you will see works commencing in this community for the concrete roads,” he stated.
It was further outlined by the Guyanese Leader that the main roads are going to be asphaltic concrete ones, while all the cross streets would be made of concrete.
“We know that the roads are bad, and that’s why I’m here,” the President related.
In addition, the Head of State indicated that the community’s playground would be rehabilitated.
At the residents’ request, the President instructed the Guyana Police Force to set up a Police outpost in a strategic area in the community, in order to improve security. Added to this, he announced that the Government would be rolling out an initiative to improve efficiency and security for fishermen and operators within the industry.
To this end, there will be improved lighting at the koker in Annadale, along with facilities to support their activities, such as bringing in their engines and seines.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC; Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, and other Government officials were also on the visit with the Head of State.