Over three hundred squatters living along the sea defence reserves on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) have been told they will all relocated within the next six months.
According to the Housing Ministry, 317 structures, including 57 owned by Venezuelan immigrants, are on the reserves at Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Grove, Herstelling Sea Dam, Farm Sea Dam and Covent Garden.
Of the 317 structures, close to 30 are reportedly unoccupied.
On Wednesday, Minister Croal announced Government’s intention to relocate the squatters, while engaging them together with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and the Sea and River Defence Board, at the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC).
It was explained that the reserves, which fall under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works, are regarded as ‘zero-tolerance’ areas and are therefore unsuitable for housing development.
Continuous occupation, the authorities explained, will impede drainage works, which can result in flooding and also affect access to critical areas.
In making the announcement, Minister Croal said government’s response to squatting is not based on race or politics but rather on assessments carried out by the Housing Ministry and other agencies to determine whether regularisation or relocation is the best option.
According to him, the relocation and resettlement programme will provide the squatters with four main housing options: existing turn-key (move-in ready) housing units, house lots at Great Diamond, and land allocations at other schemes.
Additionally, the Housing Ministry said Venezuelan immigrants will be assisted with building through the Men on Mission (MOM) initiative.
CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Sherwyn Greavess noted that each household will be provided with the necessary assistance to facilitate their relocation to wholesome housing schemes.
During yesterday’s engagement, the squatters were given the opportunity to register for the house lots and housing units.
Officials from the New Building Society, Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Demerara Bank, Citizens Bank and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) were also on the ground pre-qualifying persons for loans.
Meanwhile, the Housing Ministry said the CH&PA will be monitoring the areas to ensure that no new structures are erected.
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