The Ministry of Housing has added an additional 1500 house lots to the Tuschen/Zeelugt Housing Scheme in Region Three as plans continue to distribute 17,000 lots over the next two years.

According to a Govern-ment Information Agency press release Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said the ministry is currently completing designs for the two schemes. Negotiations are also ongoing with the Guyana Sugar Corporation and other stakeholders for new developments in other areas of the country. Ali said when the arrangements are finalized the public will be informed.

The Tuschen and Zeelugt housing areas are squatter settlements that have been regularised and upgraded. In 2004 the administration implemented a multi-million dollar development plan which encompassed roads and drainage works, electrification and water projects for the housing areas. About $328M was spent to build roads, drains and drainage structures.

The ministry also implemented several water projects to boost supply while the areas have been electrified under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme. The Tuschen housing scheme comprises about 2500 house lots while Zeelugt has 870. Additional lands are also being prepared at Parfait/Harmonie where another 1,000 lots will be made available with 520 lots at the Schoonard Housing Scheme.