The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has rejected a Guyana Times article that staff of its Enforcement Unit, who demolished several homes at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, were “heavily armed.”
In a statement, the CPHA said it takes umbrage to an article published in the May 19th edition of the Guyana Times, headlined, ‘Heavily armed men demolish 6 homes at Anna Catherina…Claim to be acting on behalf of CH&PA.’ It said that having perused the article, the headline is grossly misleading, mischievous and malevolent, since it insinuates that the staff engaged in the exercise were heavily armed with harmful and intimidating weapons, and were, potentially, conducting an unlawful activity.
Giving an overview of the incident, the CHPA said that on May 17th, in keeping with the agency’s mandate to address the issues of squatting, the staff of the Enforcement unit visited the Anna Catherina area to carry out a demolition exercise. This exercise was carried out only after every other effort to get the illegal dwellers to comply had failed, the statement said.
It emphasised that demolition of illegal structures was not recently introduced into CHPA’s operations and has been part of the agency from time immemorial.
“The team of three men was merely equipped with claw bars, hammers and a sledgehammer. (The article is self-repudiating, as it acknowledges that fact). These are the tools used in demolition exercises throughout the country, and for as long as CHPA has been in existence,” the statement said.
It declared that there was nothing in the article to substantiate the headline and charged that the Guyana Times, at best, subscribes to the growing trend of “click bait” stories in an effort to boost poor circulation and sales, or, at worst, has an agenda other than providing citizens with information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives.
“The article is deceitful, as it deliberately distorts the facts. It is dangerous because it can incite illegal dwellers to “protect themselves” against CHPA’s “heavily armed” demolition crew, endangering the lives of our staff in the process. It is disgraceful because it seeks to sully the image of the agency and work of the staff,” the CHPA declared.
The statement emphasised that the CHPA does not act without due regard for the well-being of the occupants of structures marked for demolition. “CHPA is not unaware of the need for housing solutions for the nation’s citizens. CHPA is working to ensure that when a house lot is allocated to a family, they can access the land or if they are allocated a housing unit, they receive value for their money,” the statement said.
The CHPA further called on citizens to desist from breaking the law. “We are in receipt of reports of people being encouraged to “go and squat.” We wish to remind all and sundry that squatting is illegal! We appeal to all Guyanese to let better sense prevail. Heed the voice of reason. Disregard those who are bent on disrupting the peace,” the statement said.
It added that the CHPA will continue to execute its mandate in an impartial, lawful and professional manner.
