HGP Nightly News – Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall is urging Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to use the legal powers available to them to tackle squatting.
Speaking on this week’s Issues in the News programme, Nandlall said local authorities have the authority to remove encroachments from government reserves and state lands.
He urged councils to hire lawyers to provide ongoing legal advice and help enforce the law.
“They are to use those powers, serve notices, take those persons to court or use the powers to demolish as they are being erected,” he said.
Nandlall said squatting remains a widespread problem and warned that the government will continue its zero-tolerance approach.
He acknowledged that some people are waiting for house lots but said that cannot justify illegally occupying land.
According to the Attorney General, government is investing billions of dollars to develop lands before allocating them to citizens.
He also warned that squatters have no legal protection.
“The rightful owner… can by self-help demolish your property and eject you… and they don’t have to get a court order,” Nandlall said.
He said illegal occupation often delays public infrastructure and development projects, and urged citizens to access land through the proper channels.
