HGP Nightly News – Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan is calling for urgent government intervention following the eviction of more than 50 families from the Friendship squatting area on the East Bank of Demerara.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Duncan said he visited the community on March 17 alongside fellow MP Saiku Andrews and other representatives, where they encountered what he described as a humanitarian situation rather than simply a land dispute.
“What we encountered was not just a legal dispute over land, but a deeply distressing humanitarian situation,” Duncan said. “Families [are] displaced, belongings exposed, and children left in uncertainty about where they will sleep.”
While acknowledging that land ownership issues fall within the remit of the courts, Duncan stressed that the immediate needs of affected residents must not be overlooked. “These are Guyanese families… now facing sudden displacement with limited or no immediate alternatives,” he noted.
The opposition MP pointed to the government’s stated policy direction under Budget 2026, arguing that it must now be reflected in tangible action. “The Government of Guyana has repeatedly stated… that its guiding principle is ‘Putting People First.’ This must now be tested in practice,” he said.
Duncan further argued that the number of affected households is manageable and can be addressed through coordinated intervention by state agencies, including the Central Housing and Planning Authority and the Ministry of Housing.
“It is a manageable situation that, with political will… can be addressed in a humane and structured manner,” he stated, urging authorities to prioritise the displaced families within national housing programmes.
He called on the government to engage directly with those affected and ensure access to safe and adequate housing, adding: “Putting people first must mean something tangible, especially in moments like this.”
