FORTY residents of Coomacka Mines in the Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice region have received their agreements of sale for lands for the construction of their homes.

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton presented the documents to residents at the Coomacka Recreational facility Tuesday evening during a community meeting.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of the Presidency said that on February 23, former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon handed over 200 land allocation letters to the residents, for lands which they have been occupying for approximately six decades. The land allocation letters paved the way for surveys to be conducted and the Agreements of Sale to be issued.

This is the first time the residents are receiving legal documentation for the occupied lands. “Former Minister [of State] Harmon made a commitment to you all and today we have delivered.  We are a government who just don’t make promises, but we follow up on them and then deliver,” the new Minister of State, Hastings-Williams, said. Minister of Public Service, Mrs. Tabita Sarabo-Halley told the residents that they were squatting on government lands, but the government has listened to their concerns and is working to ensure that the community is regularised.

“What this government has tried to do and is trying to accomplish is to ensure that you all have a piece of paper for your land in your hands so that if you have to have to go to the bank or anything, you have that. At the end of the day, you will now have a title to a [plot of] land that you are living on,” Mrs. Sarabo-Halley said.

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said residents received their allotment via lottery with the remaining one hundred and nine allocations to be completed shortly.  The event followed the “Government Comes to You” outreach in the mining town of Linden, the 7th to be held nationwide which is aimed at reaching out to all Guyanese and listening to and addressing their concerns. Many persons voiced concerns about land issues at the outreach.

Minister Hastings-Williams said the agreements would ensure squatting is eliminated and all Guyanese can have the opportunity of owning their own homes and government will continue to deliver to its people. “We not only make promises but we follow up, then we come to deliver. So I am very happy that we could have given out at least forty agreements of sale; that’s an indication that you will soon have your own land titles. Government will continue to work for you and address your issues; we believe in coming to listen to you and find out what your issues are,” she said.

Speaking about developmental plans for Coomacka Mines, Minister Hastings-Williams noted that “I understand that it was over one hundred and forty-nine titles in process and we delivered forty today. I also understand when it rains, you suffer a lot from flooding, so to assist with flooding, you have one hundred million dollars ($100M) budgeted”.
Minister Allicock also reminded residents of government’s commitment towards development.

Minister Allicock said the approach taken by government to ensure development “Is not a one-way street; government can only do so much and you also can only do so much. Coming together will make things happen in a more timely manner with respect and that is why it is so crucial for us to understand that in development, everyone has a responsibility”.

Minister Norton assured residents that “you in Coomacka can enjoy same benefits like other communities and that is why we are here to work with you, to find out what it is you want and how we can help you”.

Youth development and building a cohesive Guyana remains a top priority for government and according to Dr. Norton, “we want to be able to help the youths… The coalition government has you in their heart and I want to tell you this: there is no man that influences me so much when I hear President Granger speak about the legacy he wants to leave for our youths”.

After receiving her agreement of sale, Odessa Bremner said “I feel so happy, overjoyed, I have been waiting for this for quite a lil while now, so I am happy and my son get through too. I’m very happy and thankful to the Government of Guyana for all they have done for us here in Coomacka”.