Humanitarian approach to be adopted to address informal settlements
Ministry of Housing & Water
Central Housing and Planning Authority
Press Release
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Responding to an invitation by residents of Block X Liliendaal (Sophia), newly appointed Ministers of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, and Hon. Susan Rodrigues, conducted a walkabout and fact-finding mission in that community today.
The Ministers engaged residents of Block X Liliendaal (Section A) and Block (R) Turkeyen and assured them that the strong-armed approach is a thing of the past, but a rather inclusive and humanitarian stance will be adopted and implemented.
Minister Croal said his Ministry has always adopted a zero-tolerance approach to informal settlement but that a comprehensive plan will have to be formulated to address the issue soon.
He urged residents to be patient with the agency and to cooperate with the staff in their bid to address housing issues effectively. The Minister also assured residents that their issue will be addressed with some urgency, as the agency is formulating a comprehensive housing policy which will cater to the needs of all.
He noted that the agency will give priority to the matter since in some instances squatting impedes on infrastructure development.
Minister Rodrigues echoed similar sentiments, noting that she has been active in the community prior to taking up her Ministerial post and unfortunately witnessed firsthand, people’s home being demolished.
Assuring residents that this will not be the new administration’s approach, she said a more humanitarian one will be taken. In so doing, she emphasised the need for a proper data collection mechanism which will guide the relocation and resettlement process.
“We need to fix the situation, we are looking for your full cooperation, we commit to working to put this situation to rest and resolving it in a way where everyone is satisfied,”.
She also reminded residents that the agency is dealing with a backlog of applications which has now reached a total of 62,000 active applications as she appealed to them to be patient.
Residents through their community leaders reached out to the ministers, citing their feelings of neglect when it comes to house lot allocation. Though only a few days in Office and having been briefed on the issue of informal settlement (squatting), the Minister opted to give residents an audience.
Some residents complained that late last year they were invited to an outreach where they were made to add their names and contact information to a list after which contact would be made when lands are available. To date, the residents said they have not been contacted. Fearful of having their properties, which are all on the government’s reserve, demolished the residents said they thought it best to engage the subject Ministers.
“We have no intention of living on the dam for the rest of our life, we are willing to move if we are given lands”, one resident said.