Close to 2,000 squatter households to be regularised in 2025

Approximately 1, 924 lots across Guyana will be regularised this year with the majority from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Squatting areas in Success, Mocha Arcadia, Enmore, Vigilance, Coldingen and Enterprise in Region Four are all set to be regularised this year, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal said in a recent yearend press conference.

“So in all for Region Four, a minimum of 700 occupants we will be regularising,” Croal revealed.

As it relates to Region Ten, areas like Ituni, Coomacka, West Watooka, Block E and F Canvas City, Block F Wismar, Green Valley Wismar and Siberia will be regularised.

“A total of 667 lots minimum are targeted to be regularised in Region Ten in the year of 2025,” Minister Croal said.

He also noted that a minimum of 95 lots in Region Two are also set to be regularised in communities like Lima Sands, Paradise Jip and Walton Hall.

In Region Three, 59 lots in Plantation Best Reserve will also be regularised and 57 lots from Region Six in Belvedere North and Hampshire.

Meanwhile, in 2024, a total of 583 lots from six squatter settlements were allocated, primarily in the following areas: Region Three in areas like Plantation De Willem, Barnwell, and Philadelphia; Plantation De Endragt and Prosperity (Barnwell North) in Region Four and Conception Fitz Hope in Region Ten.

Additionally, a total of 258 households were relocated to wholesome communities in 2024 due to their occupancy of zero-tolerance areas.

Going forward in 2025, Croal reiterated that the regularisation programme prioritises the security and legal ownership of land for citizens.

He also reminded citizens that no new squatting areas will be recognised.

“When we squat or when we occupy a land – one, obviously you don’t have ownership, you won’t have access to legal utility services, security of tenure is not assured because the future of you and whoever else is occupying those areas illegally can be dealt with and likewise your children’s future is not secured,” Croal stated.