Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal yesterday disclosed at a housing drive held at the University of Guyana Tain Campus, Port Mourant, Berbice, that the ministry has so far distributed a total of 3,600 house lots in regions Three, Four and Six.
Croal explained that yesterday’s activity was round three as they were previously in Regions Three and Four. He said that 300 persons yesterday were allocated house lots in the areas of Number 75 Village, Corentyne; Number 79 Village, Corentyne; Williamsburg, Hampshire and Ordnance/Fortlands
He then pointed out that the 3,600 figure must be measured against those in the system since there is a registered backlog of 70,000.
According to the minister, 3600 persons have been waiting for quite a while in the system, as he stressed that they could not so quickly allocate lots without the support of President Irfaan Ali. “He tasked us to work hard; that he will support us and we were challenged to ensure that we would deliver a number of house lots in this year,” the minister noted.
He added that with the president’s support, the ministry was able to better collaborate with GuySuCo, NICIL, and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.
“To have lands made available and vested in a timely manner so that we can respond to meet that target and we are well on the way to meeting our final task of ensuring that we deliver over 50,000 house lots within this first five years of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government, he declared.
Meanwhile, the minister noted that in terms of infrastructure work that was required a few months ago, a number of contracts were signed including for Region Six and advertisements will be out for projects to be awarded in the new year. He said, “I also want to encourage the contractors from Berbice to come on board and to respond to many of those advertisements which will be opening on the 12th and 13th of January.”
He continued, “The … work… required in 2021 for the allocations that are being made – we are talking about the injection of about $1.2 billion into the economy of Region Six on
infrastructure re works for roads, drainage, a water connection and lighting.”
This, the minister said, would also push employment and wealth generation in the region.
Additionally, Croal disclosed that in addition to the ministry’s house lot programme, there will be the construction of 200 houses in the communities of Williamsburg and Ordinance/Fortlands. “We are currently in our finalization stage with our private partner,” he noted.
He then encouraged persons to start the process of building their own homes, as he urged them to make use of the presence of the banks at yesterday’s activity, “We want to help you so that you can construct and not just have a number of empty lots around the place. It doesn’t help us at the Ministry and Central Housing Planning Authority neither does it help the country or economy because we want to encourage [you] to have that home ownership.”
Additionally, the minister said that they will also continue to engage residents in areas around the country, and also to ensure that the various regional offices are strengthened so that they can better respond in a timely manner to issues, “… and not just have persons waiting for information or having them travel to Georgetown,” he said.
Furthermore, according to the minister, they are working to finalise titles for residents in Region Five which they are hoping to distribute by early February.
