Land surfaces as major issue in Cabinet outreach to Ann’s Grove
in millions in building my home and I want to know my rights”, Pellew–Fomundam said.
In commenting on the issue, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said that there was Dutch Co-op 1, 2 and 3 and the problem lay in two villages: Ann’s Grove and Friends.
Croal further explained that only phase 3 remains under the authority of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and it was only those the Government can deal with at the moment.
“There is Dutch Co-op one, two and three. One and two fall under the Co-op, and three under the Central Housing and Planning Authority. We have an arrangement for one and two, once we receive the necessary request from the co-ops we have been processing tittles and so it can be done but it has to be done through the coops where the area is, and three is solely under CHPA.”
Croal said that the Government has been doing its part in processing land but in most cases it is the Co-op that had to put their affairs in order.
“In these cases the Co-ops have to put their houses in order for use to work with. We can derive who owns the land, we can’t derive if payment is made; we have to get that information from the co-ops. Housing needs something to work with and then we can process”, Croal said.
Adding to the exchange, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, whose ministry has responsibility for co-ops, also called them out on the manner in which they are operating. He said that they were non-transparent and have been causing trouble for their members.
“Most if not all co-op societies don’t want to run themselves (as) transparent and accountable and that is creating a lot of issues for their members”, Hamilton noted.
Hamilton added that the co-ops have to get themselves in order as that is the only way issues relating to land titling can move on.
“You are suffering not because of the Government. Let me clear this up. Co-op societies are the problem …not the Government. Once co-op societies regularize themselves and put themselves in order all the things you are asking for can happen. So, until that like getting your title; it’s like pulling teeth to get your information from the co-op societies”, Hamilton declared.
Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC also expressed his disappointment at the manner in which the co-ops have been operating. He said there must be a way forward somehow, even by way of dismantling it.
“When there is a co-op and the land is owned by the co-op or even if a state land is leased to the co-op, the Government’s hands are tied in relation to that land. So, when you are complaining to us here, we really can’t do anything unless we move through the co-op or if the coop is not with good standing, in accordance with the law we dismantle it, take over the land and get into regularization”, Nandlall added.
The minister said that there will be a move to look into the handling of the co-ops, since some have also been operating illegally and in some instances even extending illegally onto government land.
He said that he, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Housing plan to return to the village on Saturday to deal with the issue.
Also on the outreach were Minster of Public Service, Sonia Parag; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.