Decades of wait over for Angoy’s Avenue residents
— over 200 land titles distributed
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 31, 2011
Over 200 families today became the legal owners of the lands on which their homes stand. This comes after more than seven decades since the families took up residences in the community of Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam, Berbice,
Scores of residents made their way to the Berbice Educational Institute (BEI), as they patiently awaited the delivery of their land titles. The more than 200 instruments of ownership were handed out by Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon and Minister of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson.
With a staggering population of 7,000, Angoy’s Avenue has been evolving from a squatting community and has been on the road to regularisation.
Under the New Haven Co-op Society, residents had sought the government’s assistance for the development of the area. However, moves toward regularisation were stymied by an injunction against the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
In 2015, after decades of perpetual darkness, the community received electricity for the first time under the Coalition Government. The Regional Administration has been executing road works, while the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) provided potable water, thus significantly improving the standard of living conditions.
On Wednesday, Director-General Harmon told the residents that better days are yet to come. Underscoring the importance of Emancipation and land ownership, the DG reminded that freed slaves pooled their monies to purchase lands. This, he said, speaks volumes about the importance of land ownership.
“You, like our fore-parents, have decided that land ownership is not just about freeness, you invested in the area in which you live. You have invested your hard-earned money to develop these lots on which you live. Today is just a manifestation of giving you the legal ownership to these lands,” he said.
He continued “that spirit of Emancipation, which was started when the slaves were freed, is a spirit that still exists today, in you, the people of Angoy’s Avenue,”.
He said under His Excellency, President David Granger, the freedom is guaranteed under Guyana’s Constitution. That freedom is protected and cherished by the government, the DG said.
“So today, I am very happy that after seven years of hard work, that we have come to this point where 209 persons will be receiving their titles,”.
The event today was in keeping with the government’s vision of ensuring adequate and affordable housing for all Guyanese. Minister Ferguson said the administration will continue on this path until its housing objectives are realised.
“Article 26 of our Constitution speaks to the issue of suitable housing. Our people must be afforded adequate housing accommodation.”
She referenced the vision of President Granger, which she noted are rested on the four pillars of reorientation, resources, regularisation and regionalisation. These, the president is confident, will aid in meeting the housing needs in Guyana.
Minister Ferguson emphasised that the government is working to provide both house lots and housing units for citizens. The goal remains to provide service lots, access to electricity and water.
Meanwhile, residents were overcome with emotion at the sight of their title. They all rained praise on the Coalition government for an accomplishment they believe, would have never happened otherwise.
The land title distribution on Wednesday, July 31, was just the beginning of greater things to come. Other families are expected to be granted their land titles soon.