Police called in to deal with land grabbers

Last Updated on Monday, 18 May 2015, 1:46 by GxMedia

Several persons measuring land at Haslington, East Coast Demerara before taking possession of plots

Police have been instructed to take decisive action against land-grabbers in a number of areas across the country, the APNU+AFC said in a statement.

“The Police and other lawful authorities have been instructed to maintain peace and good order nin all locations where attempts have been made to stake illegal claims to land,” said the coalition in a statement.

APNU+AFC highlighted that President David Granger “has not authorized” illegal and unauthorized grabbing of land in some communities.

Following the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPPC) defeat at the May 11, 2015 polls, there is no Housing Minister but there are a Permanent Secretary and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Demerara Waves observed one of the first instances of squatting on vacant lands in the Haslington/Enmore area, just hours before David Granger was sworn in as Guyana’s eighth Executive President.

As reported squatting spread to Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the party assured that the new administration would allocate land fairly. “To those participating in these activities we say please do not be misled by persons who may have encouraged these actions and rest assured that all Guyanese will be given fair and equitable access to land under the new governments’ land distribution policy,” said the Coalition.

The PPPC government, throughout its 23-year long tenure, had always pushed a vibrant housing programme including the allocation of house-lots and more recently the construction of a number of houses for professionals.