Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali yesterday met with squatters of Container City, Front Road East and West Ruimveldt, Laing Avenue and Sideline Dam, Georgetown at St. Pius Primary School to discuss their relocation since the areas cannot be regularized.
A release from the Government Information Agency said that emerging from the meeting was the decision to establish committees representing each squatting area, which will work along with the Ministry of Housing in determining the duration for relocation, the relocation area, and ways in which Government and the communities may work together for a smooth transition.
Ali said that Government is determined to assist in their relocation since it is aware of the many hardships they encounter. It was indicated that the squatters may be relocated at Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara and on the East Bank Demerara, GINA said.
Ali said that President Bharrat Jagdeo is concerned about the situation and has recently met persons squatting in Container City where their relocation was discussed.
Container City has approximately 60 lots and only 10 may be regularized as such, as decision has to be made concerning the remainder. However, not everyone residing in the area is keen on moving, GINA said.
While they are excited with the prospect of homeownership varying issues such as transferring of children from one school to another and transportation cost were raised.
Ali told them that there will be challenges involved in relocating but one has to make sacrifices for self-development.
GINA said that during the interactions it was revealed that several squatters have applied for houselots, some were given but owing to financial difficulties they were unable to pay for the land while others are awaiting a response from the Ministry.
Minister Ali invited all the squatters who had applied before 2009 for a houselot to meet with him at his office at the Ministry of Housing on Monday between 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
