PRESIDENT David Granger is of the view that the decision by some sections of society to illegally occupy State and private land in several parts of the country was at the instigation of someone who is well placed. Asked late Tuesday what he thought of the matter, the President said that while he is not sure who is behind it, he is convinced that the move was a well-orchestrated one.
With respect to the enforcement of the laws of Guyana which speak to the issue of trespassing, the President said that once the laws are being broken, he would expect that the police will take action.
“As far as I am aware,” he said, “the Guyana Police Force will enforce the law to prevent the illegal occupation of lands which don’t belong to the persons who are going on those lands.”
He said that seeing that the issue at hand is a police matter, and that they would know what to do, he sees no need to remind them how to do their job.
It all began last Wednesday when it became apparent that the APNU+AFC coalition was going to win the elections. By Saturday, when the coalition was officially declared the winner, residents from several communities across the country began taking up State lands, claiming that they had a right to do so, as it was they who voted for David Granger to become President.
Some reportedly told media operatives that they were encouraged to take up the land by very senior operatives of the Peoples Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C).
Such a move is being seen in some quarters as a deliberate attempt to test the mettle of the newly-elected President and his Administration.
On Monday, the situation escalated with residents of Success, on the East Coast Demerara, blocking the main carriageway on the Railway Embankment with debris and other obstacles.
Among other areas where persons were grabbing land are the communities of Lusignan, also on the East Coast, and the upper and lower Mahaica. (Leroy Smith)