The squatters on the Lamaha Railway embankment who are being asked to relocate to facilitate Guyana Power and Light services have been assured of government financial assistance to move including free house lots.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday that the assurance was delivered by President Bharrat Jagdeo, when he along with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Housing Minister Harry Narine Nawbatt met with the families at the Kingston Community High School yesterday.

High-power lines to facilitate power expansion are to be strung over the area the squatters currently occupy.

According to GINA many of the residents were reluctant to move citing economic and financial issues while others pointed to the need for them to be closer to social services which they said would not be available in other areas.

GINA said Jagdeo, at yesterday’s meeting, said the issue was discussed at Cabinet and told residents that they need not worry as the administration would be focused on the issue fully from September 1 and the families would be assisted financially to remove from the area. “Government will also be providing them with free house lots”, the release added.

Nawbatt also informed the families that most of them will be relocated to the West Bank of Demerara since most housing schemes on the East Coast and East Bank have already been occupied.

GINA said Jagdeo told residents that their removal is imperative since the GPL lines to be installed would be high voltage ones and can be dangerous.

GPL, GINA said, is expected to complete installation of the power lines by May next year and so residents were urged to begin planning their relocation to facilitate the process.