I AM very sure that the Ministry of Housing and Water is adamantly opposed to squatting. This I fully support. Most ‘squatting’ areas descend into squalor, presenting a haven for crimes and health hazards. It becomes incumbent upon me, to point out a burgeoning squatting area, with a number of growing ills. In Marshon, Annandale, East Coast Demerara (close to the Annandale Sea Wall), a few squatters have encroached upon the playing field of the area. In fact, this area has been the recreational zone for the villagers for decades where even competitions organised by the East Coast Cricket Board have been held. Daily, children frequent the playfield to ‘fun and frolic’ in cricket, football and rounders. However, there now exists a sombre threat, to the children and the community as a whole.
Editor, squatters have actually set up lodgings, and it is to the point where even a fish operation is flourishing. This has significantly reduced the size of the playing area. Please be reminded that the area in question was once a swampy marsh that villagers self-helped to bring  to its present recreative condition.The setting up of pit latrines by these squatters in the open, coupled with the run off waste from the fish operation, the stench is most obvious and unacceptable. The children too are constantly being threatened by these invaders. A few times, I have actually seen their innocent frolicking come to a sudden end–their balls bumping into the pit latrines.
This is aesthetically unpleasant and a sore to the community decent-minded persons  strive to enhance and develop.
I do point out, that like so many other ills—the noise nuisance, speeding vehicles, garbage dumping, drain clogging, etc., unless this present illegal squatting is arrested, then it will evolve (degenerate I mean) into a condition that may be cancerous to society (or maybe a “ poto-poto” park).
In the latter part of last year, there was a visit by the Honourable Minister Irfaan Ali, accompanied by officials of his ministry, who met with some residents after which he declared that those squatters would be moved. However, until now no measure has been taken. Now the situation has worsened as some of the squatters have moved to erect permanent concrete structures, having changed from wood, and some have even strengthened their fences signalling their intention to defy the laws that be.
I hereby call on the Honourable Minister to once again revisit this issue which is gnawing away at the comforts of life, and present so many hurdles to those who seek development in compliance with the rule of law. Should we not act now, the inevitable removal will be an arduous and unpleasant job.