By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, has continued her community outreach efforts with a visit to the Skull City squatting area in Patentia, West Bank Demerara, where discussions focused heavily on land regularisation, housing support, and public assistance.
During the engagement, the Minister took time to explain to residents how public assistance operates, noting that such support is guided by statutory provisions and administered within the framework of the law. She emphasised that public assistance is not arbitrary, but is legally grounded and targeted to meet specific needs.
Residents used the opportunity to outline the challenges they face daily, including housing insecurity and financial hardship. In response, Minister Manickchand assured residents that her ministry would work with relevant agencies to identify areas where support can be provided, particularly for vulnerable households such as single-parent families.
She also explained the scope of responsibility of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and outlined how it is working alongside the Ministry of Housing as the regularisation process advances in the community.
According to the Minister, 33 residents have already received land allocations under the regularisation programme, with additional allocations expected to be processed in the coming period. She noted that a cadastral survey is a key component of the process, as it will formally identify occupancy patterns and guide future development.
Once the cadastral plan is completed, proper road layouts will be established to improve accessibility and living conditions. Minister Manickchand explained that regularisation allows for the installation of essential services, including electricity and water, which cannot be legally provided in squatting areas.
“Once an area is regularised, we can put in all the facilities,” she noted, highlighting the long-term benefits of the process for residents.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued engagement with the Skull City community, stating that sustained collaboration is necessary to bring the area up to standard and improve the quality of life for residents.
