Mocha squatters demanding over $590 million for lands valued $56.5M

Despite being offered generous compensatory packages for their relocation, seven Mocha Arcadia/Cane View, East Bank Demerara squatters who are on the alignment of the Eccles to Great Diamond Highway, are demanding exorbitant settlements.

Based on information provided by the Ministry of Housing and Water, Central Housing and Planning Authority, the “informal settlers” are demanding an aggregate of $595 million for properties valued at approximately $56.5 million.

To date, 28 families who had settled along the alignment of the highway have relocated to nearby residential areas and have rebuilt new homes through government compensation, however, seven individuals remain on the land.

They have been offered full compensation for their existing illegal property, a free residential house lot, a grace period to facilitate the construction of their new house and five acres each of lease lands by the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.

But they have refused these offers.

The Ministry of Housing has noted that it stands ready to make available ‘move-in ready, single flat’ two-bedroom housing units in the Little Diamond Housing Scheme to the seven persons who remain non-compliant.

Lovella Doris, whose property was valued at $7.2M is demanding $100M and to remain in Cane View despite being offered a two-bedroom ‘move-in ready’ home.

Joyann Alexis Ellis, whose property was valued at $8.6M is demanding $100M in farmlands while Mark Gordan, whose property was valued at $6,000,000, is demanding $100M and farmlands. The government has made an offer of farmlands at Long Creek to the squatters.

Leon Liefde, whose property was valued at $11.5M, is not satisfied with his valuation, while Junior Ellis, whose property was valued at $5.5M is demanding $150M and farmlands. They have been served their final notices.

Anneita Beaton, whose property was valued at $14.3M and has signed the settlement agreement, has not uplifted her cheque and is now demanding $45M and farmlands. She was served with her final notice.

Sheldon Eastman, whose property was valued at $3.4M, is demanding an additional $3.5M to complete his house at Farm and $100M as a final settlement.

The Housing Ministry has since employed a contractor to complete the remaining works on his house.

The squatters are holding up the advancement of construction works on the highway, however, the government has noted that while it stands ready to work with the squatters, the nation’s development cannot be stymied.

Should the last offer be rejected by these illegal squatters, the Housing Ministry says it will have no other choice but to proceed with a demolition exercise.

On Thursday, with the assistance of the police, several houses were demolished in the area, even as residents attempt to prevent the authorities from doing so.

The Housing Ministry has been engaging residents in the area since January 2021 about relocating and facilitating the construction of the new highway.