BREAKING NEWS: Leasees and owners of lands are being forced off their lands

There are mounting allegations the Government is executing a plan of removing persons from their lands. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in opposition had indicated any land transaction made by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government will be rescinded.

Shortly after the PPP/C returned to government in August 2020 many who leased state lands or bought state properties were instructed to return them and threatened with repossession if they failed to. There have been cases like Wales on the West Bank Demerara, and Enmore on the East Coast Demerara where persons went to court in defiance of the government’s threat. The court ruled in favour of the occupations.

Most recent government has moved to evict persons occupying lands in the area of Timehri/ Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke Linden Highway. These include persons who have legitimate leases and have lived on the lands for more than 25 years. Letters are being distributed to occupants stating that they have occupied  the “land illegally,” are required to “cease forthwith with your activity….and give up peacefully” or “failure, to comply with the above directives will result in legal action…to recover the possession of the land…”

The notice being served to leasees that some have refused to sign

Occupants have accused the government of “chasing them off the land” and pointed out that those mostly targeted and affected are African Guyanese. Persons who spoke with Village Voice said President Irfaan Ali’s ‘one Guyana’ means only one set of people are being targeted for discrimination. In addition to having homes constructed on the leased lands, persons are rearing livestock and have permanent crops.

In the meantime, earlier this month a government entourage, that included the president and ministers, visited Pigeon Island, Chateau Margot on the East Coast of Demerara, and made several promises to persons who illegally occupied lands to have this regularised. These residents, who are primarily East Indians, were promised certificates of title for their land by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

Government also assured the Pigeon Island residents that the vesting order to pursue with ownership was published in the Official Gazette, and by now, given their timetable, the CHPA would be in receipt of that block of transport. The area is proposed to be subdivided and facilities such as electricity, water and paved roads are to be put in place.  Title documents for the lands will be issued by the Ministry of Housing by year end.