24 Kwakwani residents get land leases

Twenty-four residents of Kwakwani, in Region Ten, received land leases from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) last Friday.

According to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the leases were presented by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Valarie Patterson-Yearwood, and the Manager of the Commission’s Secretariat, Durwin Humphrey, who represented GL&SC Commissioner Trevor Benn at the handing over ceremony.

The GL&SC explained in a statement that the process began in October, 2017, when the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) sent a letter to the Commission raising several concerns which residents brought to their attention as it relates to the security of their lands.

Commissioner Benn later responded and led a team to the area on a fact-finding mission. At that time, Benn assured the residents that he would ensure that their matters are resolved once all the groundwork was completed.

Patterson-Yearwood was also involved in the process, the statement said, while noting that the residents had reached out to her when she served as the minister responsible for the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

“You are deserving of your leases, and I am happy with the work the Guyana Lands and Surveys has done,” the minister was quoted as telling residents on Friday. “The Commission had several engagements with you and it was not easy and it was not cheap. These leases cost the Commission, but I am happy that finally this part is over and I want to say that this is another promise delivered. I am urging you to kindly make the land work for you. Now that you have the security for your land you can finally start or expand your business or your homes,” she added.

Humphrey, who also spoke at the ceremony, urged the residents to make good use of their titles. “These hardworking families are well-deserving of these leases. These families previously had no title, no security of tenure, for their land, which they well deserve and we [are] happy that we can provide them with these titles,” he said.

On Thursday, the Commission had delivered 36 leases to the residents of Nurney/Kildonan in Region Six, the statement noted.

Some of the new leaseholders (standing with their leases) along with Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Valarie Patterson-Yearwood (seated third, from left), with GL&SC managers and regional officials after last Friday’s handing over. (GL&SC photo)