An integrated security service is being established to patrol Housing Development Corporation (HDC) communities to prevent people from entering and occupying housing units illegally.

Minister of Housing Dr Roodal Moonilal said yesterday the service will comprise HDC agencies, including the Estate Management & Business Development Company Ltd (EMBD) and the Land Settlement Agency (LSA).

Moonilal made the announcement after armed security guards moved in on a man who was occupying a house at Ridgewood Gardens, Golconda, without permission.

The man told HDC officials that God sent him to the house.

The man was ordered to vacate the premises and remove his belongings from the house around 11 a.m. His clothing and household items were placed outside the two-bedroom concrete house.

"At the Ministry of Housing we are not going to tolerate citizens who bridge the law in such an obscene manner where they move into Government property. We have over 100,000 persons who have applied for housing and the majority of them are waiting patiently and praying and hoping that they will be facilitated. And it is not only illegal but so unfair that persons will choose to break the locks at an HDC site and move in, in such a boldfaced manner while others are sacrificing and waiting," Moonilal said.

The Express learned that the intruder broke open a door at the side of the house and entered through the kitchen.

"The gentleman broke into the house and said God sent him there. God is not employed at the allocation department and God didn't tell us that either. Last weekend security moved to remove him but he is now packing up what could amount to a lot of personal effects," he said.

HDC managing director Jearlean John said the house will have to be repaired before being allocated to an applicant.

"We will have to spend between $45,000 to $60,000 to repair that unit," she said.

Moonilal said there was a similar incident recently in Point Fortin.