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Georgetown, Guyana (Credible Sources) The National Assembly engaged in intense deliberations on December 18, 2024, over the controversial Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes (Amendment) Bill 2024. Among the prominent voices opposing the bill was Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde, who warned of its constitutional and societal ramifications. The bill ultimately passed, with the government leveraging its parliamentary majority while the opposition firmly rejected it.
Forde’s presentation underscored deep concerns about the bill’s potential to undermine constitutional safeguards for property rights. Referencing Article 142 of the Constitution, which mandates “prompt and adequate compensation” before land acquisition, Forde contended that the bill’s provisions, particularly a clause allowing the state to take possession of land before finalizing compensation, violated these fundamental protections. “The legislative provisions would be violated,” Forde said, citing precedent set by the courts.
The MP detailed a recent legal decision involving land acquisition for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge project. Forde quoted rulings from Justice Jacqueline Graham and the full court, which reinforced that possession of private property by the state is contingent on prior compensation agreements. Forde argued that the proposed bill sought to circumvent these legal principles, creating a “legislative mismatch” that could weaken citizens’ rights. “Granting immediate possession without resolving compensation disputes… undermines the constitutional protections afforded to landowners,” he asserted.
Forde criticized the government for its approach, highlighting disparities in how land acquisition processes were managed. He accused the administration of perpetuating colonial-era practices that disadvantaged marginalized communities, particularly Afro-Guyanese and Amerindian populations. He called for legal protections for African ancestral lands similar to those safeguarding Amerindian lands, stating, “These amendments fail to adequately safeguard these lands from arbitrary acquisition and insufficient compensation.”
In advocating for greater transparency and equity, Forde proposed the establishment of a National Lands Commission to address land rights issues comprehensively. He also emphasized the importance of embedding principles like free, prior, and informed consent into national legislation to protect all Guyanese citizens.
The debate reflected broader tensions over development priorities and individual rights. Forde acknowledged the importance of infrastructure projects but stressed that they must be executed within the bounds of fairness and constitutional law. “We support development for this country,” he said, “but in the context of the law and the Constitution.” Despite these objections, the People’s Progressive Party-led government advanced the bill, with the opposition unanimously opposing what they saw as a threat to citizens’ rights.
