Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
Govt. allocates house lots to families evicted from Joe Vieira Park
(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has allocated house lots to seven of the thirteen persons who were occupying state lands within the Guyana–China Friendship Park (Joe Vieira Park) at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara.
The 13 persons were ordered to vacate the area as construction of the Guyana–China Friendship Joe Vieira Park advances. The multi-million-dollar project, which is reportedly 83% complete as of October 2025, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026.
Following reports of the eviction earlier this year, the Ministry issued a statement outlining ongoing efforts to relocate affected persons. According to the Ministry, engagement with residents on January 13, 2026, identified thirteen households occupying the lands. To date, seven households have been allocated residential house lots through the Ministry’s prescribed allocation system, while the remaining allocations are progressing under what officials describe as a “structured relocation framework.”
One of the houses that has to be removed from the Joe Vieira Park area.
However, displaced persons have challenged the Ministry’s account. Speaking with Kaieteur News on Saturday, one woman claimed that although lands were allocated, the lots are in deplorable condition and not suitable for immediate habitation. She added that those who received the eviction notice have not been engaged meaningfully by authorities.
“Nobody hasn’t reached out to us as yet. The people that get land this happening recently in the system here. After they come and serve us notice, they try to give other people land. Unfortunately, the people pay for these lands but they didn’t get the opportunity but they serve you notice that you have to move,” she said.
In its statement, the Ministry maintained that the occupation of the State lands was unlawful and posed risks to environmental protection, land use planning, and the orderly execution of national development projects.
“The action undertaken at Joe Vieira Park is a lawful enforcement measure executed pursuant to CH&PA’s statutory authority to administer, regulate, and protect State lands. The Government will not permit the unlawful seizure or occupation of lands designated for public, environmental, or strategic national purposes,” the Ministry asserted.
Officials also clarified that formal notices were issued on November 4, 2025, by the Malgre Tout/Meer-Zorgen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), informing occupants that their presence was unauthorized and that enforcement action would follow if voluntary compliance was not forthcoming. The Ministry said its intervention was grounded in due process and consistent with established legal procedures.
In a stern warning, the Ministry emphasized that illegal occupation would not be regularized.
“No individual or group may bypass the legal application process and expect regularization by virtue of illegal occupation. Such actions undermine fairness, equity, and the rule of law, particularly for thousands of citizens who have applied and are awaiting allocation through lawful channels,” the statement read.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to providing humane relocation options for eligible citizens but stressed that enforcement will continue where public lands and national projects are threatened.
Meanwhile, affected persons are calling for clearer communication and improved conditions on the allocated lands as they attempt to rebuild following their displacement.
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