Land surfaces as major issue in Cabinet outreach to Ann’s Grove

As in other outreaches by Cabinet teams, land matters took centre stage at Ann’s Grove on the East Coast yesterday and cooperative societies were heavily blamed for the problems that have persisted for many years.

It was explained that Guyana like many other former slave colonies still has land issues dating back decades.

This is in part due to the fact that lands were bought, especially on the coast lands of British Guiana by freed slaves. Those lands were then deemed as communal land and tracing what has become of them over long periods has become a problem because of poor or non-existent cadastral and other records.

The outreach heard that problems have arisen as lands are being claimed by multiple persons.

At the outreach, the issue was raised by Royden Pellew who said that there is a need for regularization since no one is benefiting from the current situation.

“As the building and land stands there, there is no taxes being paid to the local government or also the region or whatever else of taxation is being received. So, if the Government decides to help the people, the people over there to get titles for those lands or property; what it means is that the local Government is going to receive taxes, it also means if you ask a law company to assist in preparing that document then that company also get money, and so it’s a cycle that everyone is going to benefit and the people residing there they will also have a title that they can do further economic good for themselves. So, the Government should consider granting title to those places.” Pellew said

Another villager, Evadne Pellew– Fomundam said she had invested millions in her property which was owned by her parents and is now being told that her house can be destroyed because she is squatter. She said that she is seeking the help of the government in dealing with the matter

“I’m wondering what we can do because we are told we are squatters (and) any time our houses can be bulldozed. Well, I have put

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