Housing minister warns that new squatting areas will not be recognised

“No new squatter settlements will be recognized,” Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal declared as his ministry continues to aggressively tackle the issue of squatting to create wholesome communities and ensure citizens enjoy a better quality of life.

“We will not be recognising any new ones [ squatting areas], but we recognize what we have met and we will work with those areas,” Croal stressed. The minister made the statement during a recent housing drive at Uitvlugt, Region Three.

Croal noted that persons must move away from the idea that they can illegally occupy state lands or any property belonging to another individual, with the view of making it their own.

“Whether we are in success [ East Coast Demerara], we have to do the right thing. Whether we are in Amelia’s Ward, we have to do the right thing…but we just can’t behave as if we have a God-given right to assume what we don’t own,” he reiterated.

Minister Croal pointed out that there is a process that must be followed through which persons can apply for land at the housing ministry.

However, the minister noted that those who are currently squatting and have been documented by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) will be regularised as far as possible.

The housing and water minister explained that persons may have to be relocated to other areas, once they fall within an area earmarked for sea defence, roads or other critical infrastructure.

Croal therefore assured citizens that, “You have a very loving and caring president and government, so we will work with all areas.”

It was disclosed that since the Government assumed office in August 2020, hundreds of informal settlers in Regions Four and Five have been regularised, while several persons were relocated to developed communities.

As such, the ministry has now focused its attention on Region Three where 45 squatter settlements were found, many of which will be recognised, and go through the regularisation process, the minister highlighted.

“When we’re finished with those 45, we will see over 3,000 persons being able to finally own their own home,” he said.

Croal added that the government has an aggressive housing programme that caters to the housing needs of all citizens and therefore, ‘there is absolutely no need for squatting.’