Vergenoegen lands one step closer to regularisation

In a significant move towards land regularisation, residents of the Railway Embankment (Parcel 137) of Vergenoegen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), are currently receiving Agreements of Sale for their house lots in the area, while also signing up for their Certificates of Title.
This exercise is being led by the Director of Community Development at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Gladwin Charles.
This development is in keeping with a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who, earlier in the month, had met with the Vergenoegen residents on land ownership issues for the Acme Housing Scheme and Railway Embankment.
A subsequent visit to the community was conducted by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who further assured that the processing of titles would be done within two weeks.
For the past 35 to 40 years, a total of 64 individuals have called the Railway Embankment home. In order to pave the way for the issuance of land titles, the block and occupation survey, as well as the inventory, has been completed, and block titles have been obtained.
A number of the lots have been verified, while further assessments will be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken in regard to the remaining lots.
“The titles are expected to be handed over to the residents soon. It is a significant milestone, as it grants them independence and land ownership status. A similar exercise will be done for residents of the Acme Housing Scheme, which began as a co-op in the early 1990s,” the CHPA has informed in a statement.
During an engagement with Vergenoegen residents, Minister Croal outlined that regularisation of the two areas in Vergenoegen is a crucial aspect of the Ministry’s comprehensive 2023 Regularisation Programme for Region Three. He said that over 270 plots of land are scheduled for regularisation in various locations across the region, including Good Hope Railway Embankment, Philadelphia Railway Embankment, Barnwell, Zeelugt, Plantation De Willem, and Plantation Tuschen.
Back in March, Housing Minister Collin Croal had warned squatters against squatting along the river beds and sea defences across the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region. He had noted that while regularisation efforts were being undertaken in the region, the sea defence areas could not be regularised for living. Instead, he had outlined that massive housing developments are being undertaken in communities such as Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, Stewartville, Edinburgh and Meten-Meer-Zorg, and so persons should explore those areas to apply for lands.
As part of the move to push the local housing drive, the Ali-led Administration has rolled out a number of initiatives to help persons build their own homes. These include the Government’s housing assistance programme with local banks, to provide low-income loans and pre-built homes; as well as the steel and cement programme. (G12)