THE Ministry of Labour’s Co-operatives Department has taken decisive steps to address long-standing challenges faced by members of housing co-operatives on the East Coast of Demerara. In a recent update, the department announced that 65 no-objection letters have been dispatched to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Deeds and Commercial Registry (DCR) to facilitate the conveyancing of land titles and transports.

Many residents who have already constructed homes on allocated house lots, have been unable to acquire titles due to mismanagement by elected Committees of Management. This mismanagement has led to several issues, including: Sale of the same house lot to multiple persons; lack of transparency and

accountability in operations; the absence of proper financial records; and failure to submit annual financial statements to the Co-operatives Department.
The persistence of these problems has prompted the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to assume responsibility for housing co-operatives on the East Coast, aiming to help members secure their long-overdue land titles.
Despite this intervention, the Co-operatives Department reported difficulties in processing additional no-objection letters. These delays have been attributed to a lack of co-operation from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), which is responsible for providing critical information to facilitate the process.

At the start of 2024, six Interim Management Committees were established to oversee housing co-operatives where existing committees failed to act in the best interests of members. To remedy the situation, the Co-operatives Department plans to work closely with the AGC and GLSC in 2025 to ensure that all co-operatives members receive their titles and transports.

Additionally, the department has committed to digitising its records to preserve vital information and improve operational efficiency. This modernisation effort will enhance communication, streamline information sharing between government agencies and make records more accessible to staff, including those in hinterland regions.
The Ministry of Labour views this initiative as a crucial step in resolving deep-seated issues within housing co-operatives and ensuring that members achieve rightful ownership of their lands.