CH&PA to regularize 173 squatting areas

Jan 06, 2020 News

—24000 house lots to be made legal

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is moving to complete the regularisation of 173 squatting areas throughout Guyana.

One of the many squatting areas which the CH&PA is looking to regularize.

The CH&PA revealed last week during a press conference that under the regularization project, some 24,000 will be made legal.
Director for Community Development Gladwin Charles told members of the media that within the last 12 months, the CH&PA enforcement officers were out in the fields conducting investigations, surveys and analysis on squatting areas in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), 9 (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
He spoke of the challenges associated with getting the areas in the right conformity with the law.
“…Is the most challenging areas that the ministry has to deal with. Over the years the CH&PA has been involved in the regularisation and relocation of squatters. In the areas that could be regularised, the Agency identified 173 areas. To date, the CH&PA would have completed 159 surveys out of the 173 areas,” he said.
“The remaining 14 that we have, they are at various stages of completion. We are working on the transfer of the lands. The groundwork; the block surveys have completed. We are working with the legal department in terms of transferring of ownership of the lands to CH&PA…when the regularisation is completed, we will have approximately 24,000 lots.”
He noted that last July, the CH&PA in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated (FFTP), commenced the first phase of a relocation project, turning the sod for the construction of 20 two-bedroom homes for the families.
Through the collaboration, 20 Broad/Lombard Street families will move into their brand-new homes at Prospect, East Bank Demerara before the end of this month.
Gladwin Charles had explained that 20 houses have been completed.
“We are working on the electrical installation and other finishing touches.”
The homes received 59 percent funding from the CH&PA, while FFTP Guyana contributed the remainder. The beneficiaries were required to oversee the installation of electricity and water to their homes and prepare the space for septic tanks.
The Broad/Lombard Street project began in July 2017 when residents were required to relocate following a court order by the Gonsalves Company.
The government immediately stepped in to bring relief to residents. Six families that lost their homes to fire in March were placed on the priority list.
Another 31 families will be facilitated at Cummings Lodge, East Coast of Demerara.