Plastic city residents call for settlement of land issue
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, August 29, 2019
For residents within the Vreed-en-Hoop/Plastic City community in Region 3, the hope of being able to own their very land and home is dream shared by many. While some residents are squatting in the community, others legally own their land.
However, it was been highlighted during a community meeting by a resident, Adrian (only name given) that himself and other residents are being bullied to leave the area.
According to Adrian, this stems from the claims of one individual who says he holds a land transport which will not only mean the removal of many residents, but also that of the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School and other businesses.
“How is [it] possible that you have a school in this location, and someone has [land] transport harassing businessmen in the community and residents and constantly pushing to take over this entire area?” Adrian questioned during a meeting held today.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Jaipaul Sharma, who was also in that meeting, said that this matter will need to be reviewed by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams SC., for legal advice on the way forward.
“I do not think any citizen of this country should hold other residents and the local authority, local and central government at ransom. We have to verify this document and ensure that it is authentic,” Minister Sharma responded.
The minister stressed that persons will need to abide by the final ruling, but if the document is not authentic, it will be challenged in court.
“There was a lot of things that were forged under the previous administration and that is fraud… So, if the document was indeed forged, we will take action,” he assured.
In the meantime, residents who are currently squatting requested for assistance to obtain their land titles, which Minister Sharma promised to have addressed.
The minister was accompanied by his colleague, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings.