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Georgetown, Guyana (Credible Sources) “Progressive legal frameworks are not luxuries,” declared Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir as she delivered a searing critique of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes (Amendment) Bill 2024. Speaking during the National Assembly’s 90th Sitting, Walton-Desir warned that the proposed amendments risk undermining fairness, equity, and public trust in Guyana’s land acquisition processes.
The MP questioned the government’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing to a lack of public consultations as a major oversight. “People are understandably anxious,” she said, emphasizing the importance of meaningful engagement to address citizens’ concerns. Walton-Desir asserted that public participation is crucial to fostering trust and ensuring that the law reflects the needs of all Guyanese.
Her remarks also drew attention to the emotional and cultural significance of land. “Land is more than a physical space; it is home and identity,” she stated, calling for compensation frameworks that go beyond market value to account for the intangible losses associated with displacement. She urged the government to learn from international models, citing examples from Australia and Canada where social and emotional losses are factored into compensation.
Turning to transparency, Walton-Desir proposed the establishment of independent tribunals to oversee land acquisitions. According to her, such mechanisms would ensure fairness, protect citizens’ rights, and shield the government from accusations of bias. “This is the type of debate we ought to be having in this House,” she declared.
Walton-Desir did not shy away from addressing what she described as a troubling pattern of unequal treatment in land acquisition cases. She pointed to communities such as Caneview, Mocha Arcadia, where residents were allegedly mistreated, juxtaposing these incidents with the preferential treatment she claimed was extended to other groups. “Time and time again, Afro-Guyanese have been disadvantaged and dispossessed,” she said, adding that such disparities exacerbate public distrust.
The MP also emphasized the historical significance of land ownership in Guyana, particularly for Afro-Guyanese whose ancestors purchased villages after emancipation. “The purchase of villages by freed slaves is a cornerstone of our history,” she asserted, urging the government to prioritize the protection of ancestral lands and to honor the sacrifices of those who came before.
Walton-Desir did not mince words about the government’s broader approach to governance. “The land must benefit every Guyanese, not just the friends, family, and favorites of the PPPC government,” she stated, calling for a more inclusive and transparent process to guide land acquisition.
