Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton says that the government is illegally attempting to remove several persons from lands earmarked for a multibillion-dollar thoroughfare.
The government has branded those settlers as squatters, with the Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal claiming that the lands are part of the government’s reserves. Already, several persons have received compensation for alternative settlements, while seven remain adamant that the lands belong to them.
Norton said that the government is turning a blind eye to squatting in its strongholds, but seems hellbent on removing residents from Mocha, a vibrant opposition support base. The Opposition Leader said that the government wants to remove these Afro-Guyanese from the lands and give the properties to its “elites”.
“We categorically reject the government’s assertion that these families must be relocated because they are in the way of the proposed Eccles to Great Diamond Highway. It is clear that this road will pass a significant distance from these properties, and the real motivation behind these demolitions appears to be racially motivated against the mainly Afro-Guyanese residents, as other villages on the path of the road have not been treated with this same malice. It is also clear that the PPP wants to allocate these lands to their elite, friends, families and favourites,” Norton said during a press conference today.
He added, “The government is seeking to paint the picture that these lands belong to the government. We reaffirm the view that these lands are the property of the people of Mocha Arcadia and therefore the residents cannot be considered squatters. People do not squat on their own lands.”
Norton said that the financial settlements arrived at between the government and several other residents were inappropriate since the respective accords were struck without legal representation.
“Many of them reported that they were bullied into accepting the government’s offer. When one looks at the offer made to them there is no indication that they have been compensated for being removed. In fact, the government merely is offering a new home to these persons without adequate compensation. This is unacceptable as it is noted that in the very near future, on the completion of the road, the value of these lands will be far more than what the government is offering. This approach is wicked and disempowers the people who have been occupying those lands for well over twenty-five years.”
Norton added that in government strongholds, squatter settlements are being regularized.
“In Pigeon Island and Charity, two PPP strongholds, the government regularized squatters but now is seeking to move African Guyanese from their own lands under the pretext of promoting development. We repeat the people of Mocha are not preventing the progress of the road. The government’s action is clearly wicked and racist. We call on all fair-minded Guyanese to condemn the government’s action.”
