-Housing Ministry, CH&PA say
THE Ministry of Housing and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) have clarified that informal settlers occupying lands within Joe Vieira Park, Region Three, were given removal notices since November 2025.
According to a statement issued on Thursday to clarify misinformation in the public domain, the action undertaken to remove occupants was a lawful enforcement measure executed pursuant to CH&PA’s statutory authority to administer, regulate, and protect State lands.
“The continued unauthorised occupation of these lands constitutes a clear breach of the laws governing public property and poses direct risks to environmental protection, land-use planning, and the orderly execution of national development initiatives. The government will not permit the unlawful seizure or occupation of lands designated for public, environmental, or strategic national purposes,” the statement issued on Thursday said.
It added that removal notices were duly issued on November 4, 2025, by the Malgre Tout/Meer-Zorgen NDC, formally advising occupants that their presence is unauthorised and that enforcement action would follow in the absence of voluntary compliance.
“The Authority’s subsequent intervention was therefore grounded in due process and consistent with established legal procedures,” the statement said adding that following engagement on January 13, 2026, 13 households were identified.
To date, seven households have been allocated residential house lots through the ministry’s prescribed allocation system, with the remaining allocations actively progressing under a structured relocation framework.
“The Government of Guyana maintains an unequivocal zero-tolerance policy towards squatting and the unlawful occupation of State lands. No individual or group may bypass the legal application process and expect regularisation by virtue of illegal occupation. Such actions undermine fairness, equity, and the rule of law, particularly for thousands of citizens who have applied and are awaiting allocation through lawful channels,” the statement said.
It added that while the ministry remains committed to humane relocation and lawful housing solutions for eligible citizens, enforcement will continue wherever public lands, protected areas, or national projects are threatened.
“The rule of law will prevail,” the statement said.
