Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton has conveyed a firm stance on unproductive lands held by co-operative societies today, noting that such lands could face repossession by the State. He said this can be done with assistance from the Attorney General’s office. He made this assertion at his ministry’s end-of-year press conference.
Addressing the co-op housing schemes, Minister Hamilton stated, “We have determined that all the coop housing schemes, where thousands of people are affected, (we) will ensure that every property owner in a co-op scheme will get their transport or title in time, regardless of the state of the co-op.”
However, concerning the potential dissolution of co-op societies, he issued a stern warning, saying, “Co-op societies are forewarned: either resolve the problems or get dissolved. We will not have hundreds of co-ops listed that are a figment of people’s imagination.”
Regarding accusations of the government attempting to undermine these societies and their land acquisition, Minister Hamilton clarified, “The land ain’t falling from heaven. Those lands are state-leased to co-op societies via the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission or the MMA (Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority) for specific purposes based on the work programmes they presented to the Chief Co-op Development Officer.”
Emphasizing the government’s commitment, he added, “The Chief Co-op Development Officer already has instructions. He will write the relevant authorities for them to repossess if it is not being utilized productively.”
This announcement is part of broader government efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and productivity within co-op societies. The minister affirmed that the government is determined to uphold the integrity of co-op housing schemes, providing a clear path for those genuinely committed to utilizing their lands for the betterment of their communities.
