120 land titles issued at Cotton Tree Village

Jan 10, 2026 News

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…President Ali labels distribution good investment in people

(Kaieteur News) – Over 120 households of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) received their land titles on Friday during a land titling and distribution exercise which saw the attendance of President Irfaan Ali and several government ministers.

President Irfaan Ali spearheaded the exercise at Rosignol, WCB, which saw titles being handed out to persons, some of whom would have had their applications in the system for well over 20 years, in some cases.

The president reasoned that in the rooting out poverty, the asset base of every family must be built. This, he posited, is achieved by giving Guyanese ownership of things and increasing the value of things they possess, as well as by investments made in infrastructure and technology.

“That is why our vision as a government has been clear and consistent- to help Guyanese to acquire wealth, not just survive. Our strategy of enhancing the well-being of citizens is focused on expanding economic opportunities, so people can earn more. We have worked to enhance disposable income so families can save and invest.”

Moreover, he explained that land ownership is factored into an expansive strategy aimed to raise income, reduce burdens, and create assets. In harmony with this, the president highlighted his administration’s record in expanding land ownership by supplying “tens of thousands” of house lots, while squatter settlements have been regularized.

“Regularization turns insecurity into stability, better health, better public service, and title turns occupation into ownership. Land turns a family into stakeholders in a nation’s future. This is not charity, this is empowerment. When a person owns land, they own an asset. That asset can appreciate in value. It can be developed, it can be used as collateral, it can be passed on to children. It becomes a foundation for entrepreneurship, for housing, for farming, for small business,” President Ali emphasized.

While noting the government’s satisfaction that persons would have secured their land titles, President Ali disclosed that there exists 1,500 allocated house lots on which no dwelling places were constructed. The president signalled government’s forthcoming intervention, in coordination with the local banking system.

“In the coming months, we will be convening groups to work with these 1,500 house lot owners. That is: the government, the bank, and these house lot owners, to move them from house lot ownership to home ownership. So, we will be hand-holding you in helping you in helping you to get the loans, hand-holding you in helping you to get your designs, and hand-holding you into moving towards home ownership,” the president promised.

Kaieteur News spoke with several of the ecstatic recipients.

Chyren Kanhoye, 60, of Corentyne, who collected on behalf of her overseas-based sister, related their approximately 10-year wait to obtain their certificate of title at Cotton Tree Village.

For her, “the tension of waiting is over, and you don’t have to look out for news anymore,” referring to updates as to when titles would be issued. Finally satisfied, she told this publication that building commences immediately.

Cotton Tree resident, Bickram Bharrat, returned from Canada to obtain his title. The 71-year-old told Kaieteur News that he waited for 30 years to finally secure his title on Friday. He thanked the president for fulfilling his decade-long dreams.

Yadwantie Singh, 78, also from the area, clutched her title with relief and satisfaction, now that her noble endeavors to bequeath to her next generation are within more standardized means.

“It’s a very long time I’ve waited on this title. It’s not how many years- the plot of land that I have, my father gave it to me, so I went to court to have the title, and I got through. My son living with me, so he will have to cultivate the land…I’m very happy. I’m old, so I take care of everything now, so they won’t have any problem when I leave this beautiful world,” the pensioner told Kaieteur News.

After nearly 20 years, another Cotton Tree Village resident, 58-year-old Bisram Basantre, is now an official land title owner. Having relocated from Bath Settlement, he and his wife secured their four titles.

“I feel very happy, and I must thank the president. He did a wonderful job, and everybody can (now be an) owner for their title,” the elated man told this publication.

Padmadevi Seetayah, 37, Cotton Tree, stated that she waited for three years for her title. Her home is already constructed on the lot, and acquisition of her certificate of title makes her “very excited.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC in his remarks told the gathering that the initiative is precursory to a slew of other soon-to -be on stream initiatives which are set to empower the population. These are measures undertaken by the administration to better lives, he added.

“We cannot promise, and we will not promise that we will fix all of your problems today or tomorrow. What we can promise is that we will work every single day to improve your quality of life,” the Legal Affairs Minister assured.

Minister of Education Sonia Parag underscored that housing is just one aspect of what Region Five has benefitted from. She pledged that it will only improve, and urged the recipients to hold highly the value of their titles.

“To the beneficiaries, I want you to understand that you must hold this paper with the significance of which it’s being given to you…and I want you to be able to build on that foundation, and we are proud to be able to say that we can give that to you.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs Adele Clark, Regional Chairman of Region Five, Recardo Phillips and other officials were also present at the ceremony. 

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• AnilNandlall, CottonTree, homeownership, landtitles, presidentAli, SoniaParag, westcoastberbice

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