A TEAM from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), this week, commenced the land regularalisation process for numerous residents in Region One (Barima-Waini) who occupied lands for decades without land titles.

The efforts came following a visit by the commission, headed by Commissioner Trevor Benn, to the villages of Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma and Maburma last weekend.
In the case of Matthews Ridge, Commissioner Benn expressed disappointment that none of the residents has been issued with titles for their lands even though they have been occupying the lands for years.

“[This is] unacceptable and it is something that we must correct. I am assuring you this,” Benn told residents, according to a release from the Commission.

He stated then that at a team from the Land Administration division of the Commission would be deployed within the next few days to begin the regularisation process.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament (MP) representing the government, Richard Allen is also expected to assist in the supervision of the process.

“We will be sending a team during the week to work with you to ensure that these issues are addressed, so we are urging you to be here when our team is on the ground and work along with them so we can get this thing over with and move on from here,” Benn said.
He explained to the residents that granting of titles to establish rightful ownership would help people to improve their quality of life and the overall status of their communities.

Benn stated: “The objective is to make sure that in a short space of time we can resolve the issues for all of you. I am surprised to learn that almost no one in Matthews Ridge has title to their lands. This is depressing and we have to fix that for each of you. You cannot improve your lives if you do not have ownership to basic things like land. You cannot get a mortgage if you do not have the documents for the land.”

He said that while the Commission will be doing all in its power to ensure that the community becomes regularised, residents also have the responsibility to cooperate and to pay all outstanding dues to enable the Commission to execute its mandate. “You must follow the rules and for those who are entitled,” he encouraged.

“Regardless of whom you support, once you are entitled, you will get your land. We will do a thorough investigation of the issues raised. These are very serious issues and we want to ensure that in the shortest possible time that we can deal with those issues and get you your titles. Unless you are prepared to work with us then we cannot get anywhere. We need to cooperate.”