Shadow Minister for Housing and Water, Annette Ferguson, has come out in strong condemnation of Government’s failure to adequately address the housing crisis in an oil-rich economy. Guyana is considered the world’s fastest growing economy and per capita is the richest.
This year Guyana is expected to earn at least US$2.5 billion from oil and gas and has a National Budget of GY$1.146 billion. According to the parliamentarian, it is unacceptable in this economy that people are still living in unsafe and insanitary conditions. “We can do better as LEADERS!”
The shadow minister was reacting to what she saw during an official visit to Sarah Johanna, East Bank of Demerara. Last week a person, claiming ownership of the land moved into the area under the protection of the Guyana Police Force and destroyed several homes, leaving scores of families, including children, homeless. Ferguson said what was evident from her visit is that the majority of those affected are women, single with young children.
“It was a painful sight to witness the aftermath of what persons evvel called a home.”
Ferguson, who was a former minister with responsibility for housing in the Coalition Government, said the stories told by residents of the ordeal they encountered last Friday will forever be etched in their memories.
She recounted residents standing helplessly and unharmed watching the destruction of their furnishings. “It was difficult for them to retaliate since the man who is claiming ownership to the lands, some 65 acres, turned up unannounced in the community with van loads of armed policemen, huge equipment and commenced demolition of their homes.”
The shadow minister recounted the story of one woman whose house was crushed to the ground, stating that on observing what was about to take place, the woman pleaded for time to salvage zinc sheets and other materials from her building. “This was rejected!” The woman further related the community depends on rain for their water supply, she had “19 huge plastic drums filled and hurriedly empty a few, in order to place her housing decors in them, while others were destroyed.”
Another recounted that she was not at home when her house was demolished. She lost everything, including her children’s personal documents.
Ferguson said those whose homes have been demolished are presently sleeping in “makeshift tents,” while a few are in temporary shelter provided by the Government. They have complained of the discomfort they are facing, such as having to sleep in the cold and being exposed to the external elements.
In 2019-2020, a similar attempt was made by the person when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in Opposition. This was however thwarted, Ferguson pointed out. When the PPP came into office, the very gentleman revisited the area, but was met with resistance by the residents, she added.
“Eventually, the Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, intervened, where persons were provided with allocations, paid $250,000 for lands in Golden Grove, East Bank of Demerara, since 2021.” Three years later these persons have not yet been allocated the land or see the area.
The parliamentarian recounted the story of a young mother who could only afford $100,000.00, as her initial payment, but was rejected by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) who informed her the $125,000.00 must be paid over. The single mother has been unable to raise the difference.
Ferguson said she was advised of a meeting being held today with persons who received allocations for lands and made payments, along with those who have not been allocated.
She flayed the government for expecting poor people at short notice to turn up to government’s ‘one stop shop’ housing event with CHPA with 100% payments for lands. Under such circumstance the parliamentarian said she feels the government is not helping citizens “to truly realise their dream home, with the bureaucracies in place”
