Seventy-eight families from Walton Hall, a village on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two, have become landowners after decades of waiting, as the government distributed land titles in a ceremony on Thursday.
The distribution exercise was led by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, at the Walton Hall Mandir.
Among the recipients was Sanita Singh, 50, who was visibly emotional as she received her transport document.
“I can now process a loan to build my own home. This has only been possible through the government and I’m so happy,” Singh said.
Another resident, Anthony Roopchan, said the title gave him pride and security.
“I feel proud as a father to own the land. I can pass this on to my children now. It would be nice to give them something of value,” he said.
Harry Persaud, also a beneficiary, said he was pleased to finally have legal documentation.
“I am very delighted to receive my transport,” he told the Department of Public Information. “I promise to uphold my obligation as a resident by paying my rates and taxes.”
With official land titles, residents can now access bank loans, sell land at higher value, transfer property to heirs, or gift it during their lifetimes—opportunities previously unavailable to them.
“After 80 years, you will get your land title. You are the first generation living on these lands who will be the recipient of a formal legal title,” Nandlall told residents.
He said the issue dated back to when the entire village was under the ownership of a now-defunct cooperative society. As the body became inactive and its members passed away, current occupants were left without formal ownership and deemed squatters.
To resolve this, the government fully subsidised the legal process, covering land surveying, valuation, and legal fees. Each plot, surveyed at a cost of $100,000, was financed by the State.
“There is no greater way of empowering a people than to give them legal ownership for lands that they occupy,” said the minister.
He added that the process is ongoing and urged more residents to come forward.
“The sooner persons come forward, the sooner they can feel that excitement of owning their lands, because it is a tedious process to reach this point,” he said.
To support residents, the newly opened Deeds and Commercial Registry building in Suddie has been made available for land ownership matters. (DPI)
Sanita Singh
Anthony Roopchan
