In line with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s commitment, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar, alongside other government officials, met with squatters in the Ruby area over the weekend to discuss their relocation to safer and more sustainable housing.
The informal settlers at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), are actively engaged as part of the government’s ongoing structured relocation and resettlement programme aimed at transitioning families into improved living conditions.
Ministers Croal and Indar met with approximately 54 households, consisting mainly of Guyanese citizens with a small number of Venezuelan migrants occupying illegal lots in the area.
Present at the meeting was the Director of the Community Development Department (CDD) within the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA), Gladwin Charles, along with staff assisting in processing and verifying residents’ documentation. This engagement follows recent commitments made by President Ali.
The CH&PA emphasised the humane and organised approach to relocation, continuing efforts to allocate lands and provide turnkey housing solutions. Residents were reminded that, under the national housing policy, only Guyanese citizens are eligible for CH&PA’s housing programme.
Over the past year, the CH&PA’s CDD has worked closely with the community to support a structured relocation process. Several residents have already received pre-qualification letters for turnkey homes, with efforts ongoing to complete processing for the remaining households in the coming days.
Minister Croal assured those who have pre-qualified that once they finalise their processes with the bank, the ministry will facilitate their immediate relocation. He urged residents’ cooperation and stressed that no structures should remain or be newly erected on the reserve.
“For those who have already pre-qualified, once you finalise the process with the bank, we will work to move you immediately,” Minister Croal stated.
Minister Indar reinforced this message, cautioning residents against further construction or occupation by persons not authorised to be on the reserve.
“Do not continue to build and do not continue to occupy the reserve,” he warned. “If you continue to build, it will complicate this entire process.”
The Ministry of Housing and Water reiterated its commitment to providing sustainable housing solutions and improving the quality of life for families transitioning from informal settlements to structured communities equipped with essential infrastructure and public utilities.
