500 house lots to be developed in Amelia’s Ward 

─ entities are working overtime to make lands available – Min. Ferguson

─ residents asked to desist from squatting

─ older applications will be given priority 

 DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 26, 2019

The long wait for house lots in Linden will soon be over. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is collaborating with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) to ensure the transfer of 100 acres of land in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

This will enable the CH&PA to develop approximately 500 house lots in North, Amelia’s Ward.

This was relayed to the residents at a community meeting, chaired by Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson and Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Lelon Saul. The officials updated the residents on the progress that has been made and addressed pending issues.

Persons with existing applications in the system were assured that the two entities are working overtime to have the lands transferred. This will allow for the allocation of lots following the development of the lands. Saul indicated that priority would be given to persons with older applications.

Minister Ferguson, who recently assumed the post within the Communities Ministry, said she recognises the challenges facing hard-working citizens who wish to own their own homes.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson addressing the community meeting in Amelia’s Ward Linden.

“At the Department of Housing, we are working to ensure that we find the lands so that we can provide the house lots or houses to our people, that is our mandate at CH&PA, to ensure that our people, more so the working class are provided with a roof over their heads,” she said.

For this to be made possible, Minister Ferguson noted the CH&PA has to collaborate with other agencies, such as GLSC and NICIL, who are the custodians of state lands. She also noted that transferred lands must be sufficiently developed to allow for convenience and access to basic amenities.

The Housing Minister related the CH&PA is currently developing 60 housing schemes across Guyana.

Meanwhile, an officer from the GLSC involved in the land transfer project called on the Amelia’s Ward residents to exercise patience and to not give in to the temptation to squat. This practice, he said, can hinder the surveying process as some of these illegal structures are located on land where roads and other infrastructure have to go.

While empathising with the residents’ desire to be homeowners, Minister Ferguson, reminded that squatting is an illegal act.