Co-ops given time to fix their affairs but gov’t still taking back any unused lands

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton says the government still intends to repossess any unused lands from Cooperative Societies (Co-ops) but those bodies have been given some time to fix their affairs first.

Hamilton, at the opening of a new Better Hope labour office on Wednesday, said those Co-ops either have to resolve their issues or be dissolved.

If dissolved, the government will be able to repossess the lands they hold and use it for other development purposes.

The Labour Minister first indicated the government would be seeking to repossess “tens of thousands” of acres of undeveloped lands that are held by Co-ops in January during the 2023 National Budget debates.

And since then, the Labour Ministry has been engaging many of the Cooperative Societies, according to Hamilton.

“We’re working with many of them, many of them have interim management committees that we have appointed to see if they can be rescued.

“We’re making that assessment,” Hamilton said.

No lands have been repossessed as yet, he clarified, noting that the government wanted to work along with the groups to “bring some financial rectitude” and help the groups function more effectively.

Additionally, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority are conducting audits to determine which lands are held by Cooperatives.

But none of this means the groups have been let off the hook.

In fact, Hamilton said, “…if they mismanage, I will instruct (sic) to take them back because you have to run this thing accountable and transparently.”

He also reminded the public that lands managed by Cooperative Societies are leased, so ultimately the government has responsibility.

As such, he said the government has the authority to repossess those lands “if you are failing to use the land based on your proposal to me.”

Cooperative Societies are formed when a group of persons pool their labour, skills and resources to undertake a specific task or objective such as farming or manufacturing.

It is estimated that there are over 1,000 Cooperative Societies in Guyana.