-as gov’t intensifies initiative
Residents on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two were recently allocated house lots as part of the government’s “Dream Realized” housing initiative
The land allocation drive took place at the Anna Regina Town Council building over a two-day period (last Friday and Saturday), where the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, assured residents of Region Two that as the government continues to work toward its goal of 50,000 house lot allocations across the country, the people of Region Two would also benefit. Rodrigues said that the Ministry has thus far processed applications for Region Two allocations from as far back as 2019. She referred to this effort as a “huge accomplishment” as it tackles the backlog of applications which are coming in daily. “There were 70,000 applications when we took office and this number is growing.”
Croal noted that during most of the housing drives the Ministry was made aware of land irregularities in Region Two. For this reason he stated, “We have made changes here therefore to strengthen the office here in Anna Regina. So that is why I am pleased to announce that we now have a newly appointed Assistant Regional Housing Officer for Essequibo. It is also the intention that very shortly you will be having a Regional Housing Officer but someone who will come from right here in Essequibo!”
Croal added, “In five short, months we were able to allocate 3,600 and so today, we are, [after] another 8 months, now able to add to that tally another 350 for Essequibo to be allocated, in Onderneeming for Phase Four.”
As part of ensuring that the applicants will be included in the 700 house lot allocation intended for Region Two, Croal said that changes at the Ministry’s office in the region have been made. “In the weeks ahead, the months ahead and the years ahead, in keeping with our commitment to the people of Guyana, we will continue to allocate house lots in other areas. Our president when he announced, he committed (to) 600. We at the Ministry we are pleased to say that we intend on this year, to allocate a total of 700 house lots in Region Number Two,” the Minister announced at the land allocation site.
Both ministers also touched on the policies which the government has put into place to make home building more affordable. Rodrigues said that the zero rating on construction materials will be of benefit to persons who are building. Croal noted that $13.9 billion in contracts have been signed for infrastructure works to be done in regions Three, Four, Five and Six. According to the minister, these types of investments are being done to ensure that not only will persons have property but the infrastructure will be there for the building works. “When we speak about allocations, we also speak about infrastructure work. In our case, it is the case that we have to invest… to ensure that the infrastructure works are put in place in virgin lands. Lands that probably were formerly rice fields, sugar cane land or even in some cases, been there for years,” Croal told the gathering as he described the infrastructure works which the Ministry has started to aid in community development and making the process as hassle free as can be.
“In Onderneeming, we have begun installation of 30 street lights to enhance the safety and security of the community. We have committed that we will also assist with another 30 lights for the community of Lima Sands,” Croal announced.