Reluctant Success squatters finally seeking alternative accommodations

The time is winding down for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to restart sugarcane cultivation at Success, East Coast Demerara, and Government remains optimistic that persons squatting on the land will relocate before these activities commence.

This was according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday. The Minister said that many of the unlawful occupants who had initially refused to move are inquiring about alternate accommodations being made by Government. The Housing and Water Ministry is also working to make lands available elsewhere.
“I think they’re moving and we’re very optimistic that they will move. That is why we are starting to do our preparations so hopefully, they will move shortly. I’m anticipating that they will move and preparations will continue. That is why those machines are there to start doing the work. The Ministry of Housing and Water says they’re engaging them so that they’ll get their lands,” Mustapha explained.
Squatters have been occupying lands in various communities along the East Coast of Demerara including at Vryheid’s Lust, Success, and Chateau Margot. In occupying the lands, GuySuCo had disclosed that some 17,000 varieties of sugarcane have been damaged by the squatters in those areas.
However, with GuySuCo now embarking on efforts to revitalise the sugar industry by reopening three estates closed by the APNU/AFC regime including the East Demerara Estate (Enmore), which is expected to recommence operations, attempts have been made to remove the squatters from the lands.
The sugar corporation on Thursday last flooded the field including the area where the squatters are occupying at Success, where a majority of the persons have taken up illegal occupancy.
However, the inundation of the plots at Success led to an escalation of the situation as armed men pounced on a security guard stationed at the Success backlands, disarmed him and shot at a drainage pump before escaping on a motorcycle.
Over the weekend, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was tasked with conducting a need’s assessment of the squatters at Success, while simultaneously preparing the Graham’s Hall Primary School as a potential shelter for those persons.
They prepared the school by cleaning and sanitising the building, installing adequate washroom facilities and setting up sleeping areas for the squatters to relocate, if or whenever they wish to do so. Overnight packages including hygienic supplies such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, as well as blankets and pillows were laid out.
In a release, the CDC also said the humanitarian crisis of displaced residents requires immediate action to stem migratory and health issues, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The CDC Head noted that those affected by the flooding at Success can immediately contact the National Emergency Management System (NEMS) on 226-1114, 623-1700 and 600-7500 and make their way to the Graham’s Hall Primary School, where they will be housed.
Meanwhile, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has visited the area to commence the land application process for unlawful occupants, so that they could be eligible for a house lot.
On Friday last, President Irfaan Ali in addressing the issue urged those persons squatting at Success to accept the lawful method of acquiring home ownership.
“It is not that we want you to be dislodged in the area. We want you to own your own homes too. That is why we sent the housing team to see you. But there’s a right way in doing things and a wrong way. In Guyana, we have to get accustomed to doing things the right way. Otherwise, we’ll be developing communities that are not successful. We want to help you. We are going to move as fast as possible in this programme,” the Head of State noted. (G12)