AN enforcement arm will be established by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL& SC) which will target squatters. Following the Commission’s petition for support and agreement for the creation of an enforcement unit, Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of the unit.This was announced Wednesday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, during his post-Cabinet media briefing at The Office of the President.
The HPS explained that such a unit already exists for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and works in close conjunction with the Ministry of Housing and Water.
“Cabinet’s approval at the November 11 meeting would see a parallel unit, an enforcement unit, with practically the same remit with its sister unit in CH&PA to enforce the law,” Dr. Luncheon said. He added that further legislative, administrative and executive intervention would be needed to stem the tide, and to get on top of the scourge of squatting, “notwithstanding the housing drive.”
The HPS stated that during Cabinet’s statutory meeting on November 11, there were commendations again for the consummate accomplishments by the Ministry of Housing and Water, the CH&PA, and with particular emphasis on Minister Irfaan Ali.
However, despite the accomplishments, it was observed that squatting has continued on the coast and seems to have generated a life of its own.
“Cabinet was further informed of elected officials who were said to be encouraging squatting in exchange for financial consideration,” Dr. Luncheon pointed out. He noted that this contention was raised by Cabinet, which resolved to promote further intervention.
It was recognised that the regularisation of squatting settlements seemed to have some “vicarious impact on squatting expectations,” he said.
He observed that the thought seems to be “You squat today and regularise tomorrow.” This trend of thought, he said, vicariously promoted squatting.

(GINA)