60 Charity squatters receive Certificate of Titles; Over $200M to regularise community

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday presented 60 Certificates of Titles to squatters occupying lands at Charity, Region Two.

The President had announced plans to regularise the area earlier this week and said Saturday that staff at the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority worked around the clock to finalise the usually long process in just four days.

“…in 4 days the Ministry of Housing and Water staff were able to process 60 land titles as well as complete the full layout and design of 2.5 kilometres of road and a new bridge for the community,” Dr. Ali said.

From an assessment conducted, the area has 226 lots that are to be regularised. Of that number, 123 were identified as lots that can be regularised immediately.

From the 123 lots, 27 persons have already paid their fees, while 33 will receive their titles on Monday.

The remaining 63 people will have to sign up and pay the remaining fee for the processing to commence.

President Ali said that the government has committed to further enhance the community where the installation of electricity and water will also be part of the regularisation process.

He urged residents to ensure that they sign up and begin the process. He also committed that the government will continue to work with residents during the physical enhancement. Persons will also have access to low-interest rate loans at commercial banks. A total of $200M will be spent to regularise the area, President Ali said.

Several persons who received their titles told the News Room that they are overjoyed and thanked President Ali and his team for the prompt actions. One such person is Tracy De Silva who said she waited many years for her dreams to materialise.

De Silva said that she will now be able to take a loan and build her dream house.

President Ali used the opportunity to thank the staff for working assiduously to complete the process.