After 50 years, dozens of Mon Repos residents receive Land Titles

While some residents of Mon Repos North on the East Coast of Demerara waited up to 50 years, others are the first in their families to receive ownership of lands they have occupied for decades.

“I am the first person that ever lived on this land, that is since 1985, and I have waited since 1985, and now we are in 2024.

“That is 39 years. So after 39 years, I am finally the owner of this land,” said Houston Johnson, one of the recipients.

Early Friday morning, Johnson was among 40 individuals who received their Certificates of Title, formally granting them legal ownership of their land.

This distribution is part of a commitment made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during his visit to the community six weeks ago.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, presented the Certificates of Title during a visit to the area at sunrise.

“This is five decades that our President had fixed for you. You will be leaving here with a document that signals this is your security of tenure and security of tenure for your children and your children’s children,” Minister Croal told the recipients during his address.

Croal emphasized that the government will continue to address the needs of citizens waiting for their Certificates of Title under the ‘Operation Clear-up’ initiative, launched by President Ali. This initiative aims to regularize several areas across the country.

“We are here today regularizing and processing the ownership. So there are 67 lots that we have done the occupation surveys for, for which 40 today will be collecting your title,” Croal explained to the gathered crowd.

He added that the next areas of focus would be Enmore and a portion of Mocha Arcadia that need to be regularized.

“I waited a long time to get it, and I am happy here today that I have my grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who can keep our name up,” said the wife of recipient Premchand Persaud.

Another resident remarked, “After a long wait, it’s finally here. If you hadn’t come, we would have had to wait another year.”

Minister Mustapha noted that the distribution aligns with the government’s policy of ensuring continued development to enhance the lives of every citizen.

“Our government, the PPP/C government, takes commitment very seriously. When we make promises to the people of this country, we take it very seriously. The value of your property will go up, and this is only part of the developmental process,” Mustapha said.

The distribution of land titles remains a priority for the Ministry of Housing and Water. Since 2020, the ministry has distributed thousands of land titles.