Park, vendor strip under consideration for Skull City Community

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand visited the  Skull City squatting area at Patentia, West Bank Demerara, Region Three on Wednesday, committing support for several infrastructural projects.

The Ministry is currently engaging communities to directly address issues affecting residents. During the outreach, Minister Manickchand interacted with residents and noted their concerns regarding infrastructure and environmental conditions.

As such, in her assessment of the area, she highlighted the potential to transform an open strip of land between the two main roads into a community park and designated vendor zone.

“That strip between those two roads can get a nice park area so they could have a space for vendors there. We can make that strip a really nice strip for children to go and play,” she said.

Flocked by residents and members of her team, the minister also updated persons about the ongoing efforts to regularize the community by the Ministry of Housing. Several households were already allocated lots and the remaining allocations are in progress.

To ensure that these persons are able to live comfortably, Minister Manickchand said they can now begin the process for utilities in their homes.

“Once it’s a squatting area, we don’t do those things because you’re not supposed to give facilities to people illegally occupying land. But now that we are regularising the area, we can do that,” the minister said.

Minister Manickchand also confirmed that the cadastral plan has been lodged in the Registry and that the block title is being prepared, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, the drainage infrastructure accompanying the road works will be completed by January 2026.

As part of her outreach, she further committed to providing 85 hampers for households within the community.