‘It's unfair for foreigners to get lands while Guyanese still wait for house lots’

‘It’s unfair for foreigners to get lands while Guyanese still wait for house lots’ – APNU

Jul 12, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has criticised the government’s handling of land allocation, saying foreigners are acquiring plots for business purposes while thousands of Guyanese continue to wait for house lots.

‘It's unfair for foreigners to get lands while Guyanese still wait for house lots’ – APNU

APNU’s member Michael Richmond

Michael Richmond, a member of APNU, said it was unfair for foreigners to be granted leased lands to conduct business while Guyanese citizens are still waiting to receive house lots.

“It is very unfair to see foreigners come to our country and get leased lands to do business, as compared to our citizens who are nationals here, who are Guyanese, not receiving house lots. So, we are going to stand with these squatters. We are going to stand with these people,” Richmond said.

Richmond was responding to recent remarks by the Attorney General regarding strict measures being taken against squatters in Guyana. He argued that Guyanese do not squat by choice, noting that many citizens have families but lack adequate resources to establish proper housing.

“Squatting is not Guyana’s culture, it is not something ingrained in us from birth. It is simply a situation some citizens find themselves in,” he said, calling on the government to roll out a proper housing plan to ensure citizens can acquire house lots in their own country.

Recently, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that the law provides no protection for persons who unlawfully occupy state lands, government, or public reserves. The attorney general during his weekly show, Issues in the News, said the government is compelled to take firm action to address the growing problem of squatting across the country.

He acknowledged that while demand for land often exceeds supply, there is no justification for squatting.

“We have a no-tolerance policy in relation to squatting,” he said.

Notwithstanding, Richmond noted that had APNU won the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the party would have ensured every citizen received a house lot. He pointed to the party’s manifesto, which proposed rent-to-own projects for young professionals and a lowering of the eligibility age for house lot applications from 21 to 18.

“When we go out and vote, we have to understand that elections are serious business. But that doesn’t mean we are not going to stand with the people of Guyana. We are going to continue to stand, so I want to leave on that note,” he added.

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