HOUSING Minister Collin Croal has ordered a significant strengthening of enforcement in communities, directing officers and rangers to take immediate action against new squatting, unauthorised developments, blocked drains, and the improper placement of materials on roadways.
Croal issued the directive during a meeting with enforcement officers and rangers at the Ministry of Housing’s boardroom on Tuesday, where he expressed strong dissatisfaction with what he described as inadequate levels of enforcement and alertness in the field.
The meeting was attended by Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Dr. Martin Pertab, and Head of the Enforcement and Compliance Department Nigel Hoppie.
Croal said enforcement personnel must not wait for complaints, referrals or instructions from the central office before acting on violations observed in their assigned communities.
He stressed that officers and rangers are expected to know their assigned areas, identify emerging problems, and take decisive action before violations become entrenched.
The Minister placed particular emphasis on the continued emergence of new squatter settlements, despite the Government’s stated position that new squatting will not be recognised.
He questioned how such developments could occur in areas routinely monitored by enforcement teams without being detected and reported at the earliest stage.
Croal made it clear, however, that enforcement must extend beyond squatting, with officers expected to identify and address a range of violations affecting communities.
These include the obstruction of drains, the placement of construction materials and other items on roadways, and other activities that create hazards, obstruct public spaces or negatively affect communities.
He called for greater responsibility at the regional level, urging regional teams to strengthen their enforcement efforts, and reduce their dependence on the central office.
The Minister also called for stronger collaboration among enforcement teams, local authorities, and community stakeholders, noting that such partnerships could assist in identifying emerging violations, and facilitating earlier intervention.
As part of efforts to improve the enforcement response, Croal directed that a digital reporting platform be established to allow officers and rangers to immediately upload field reports, photographs and other evidence.
He criticised delays in receiving reports, stressing that management must have direct and timely access to information from the field to facilitate swift intervention.
Croal said the current level of performance cannot continue and insisted that enforcement must become proactive rather than reactive.
He urged officers to identify and address violations before they escalate or become more difficult to resolve, signalling a tougher approach to enforcement across communities.