The Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Thursday signed an agreement with Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL) that will see low- and moderate-income earners being able to access building materials at discounted prices.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that the agreement, which is part of the ministry’s continuous bid to ensure that Guyanese are provided with access to affordable housing, will see people who fall into the low and moderate income brackets and contractors who are working in partnership with the ministry and the financial institutions in the construction of “turn-key” or revolving homes, enjoying wholesale prices on building materials and supplies. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and the differently-abled, are also to benefit from the agreement.
Ordinarily at hardware stores wholesale prices are only offered if the customer is an established purchaser or is buying in bulk; paying approximately 10 to 15% less than what retail customers would be paying.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali was quoted by GINA as saying that the initiative will have tremendous positive impacts on ordinary Guyanese. “This is an excellent example of the partnership between the housing and private sectors in advancing a product that is sustainable and in ensuring that we develop programmes that would reach every segment of our society,” he said.
Ali added that the initiative is coming at an important point in the construction sector, when international prices are increasing, albeit moderately. He also spoke of the confidence that private sector and the CH&PA places in each other.
GINA noted that last year the ministry launched an initiative in collaboration with private sector organisations to develop programmes that are aimed at bringing greater benefits to land allottees and to ensure that the market pricing mechanism does not pose additional burden on them in the construction of their homes. It also said the ministry was able to successfully negotiate an agreement with the Trinidad Cement Limited, whereby a 20 percent discount is given to every low income allottee at the CH&PA.
Meanwhile, at Thursday’s signing TPL’s Commercial Management Director Kadirullah said the company has always been supportive of various government projects, whether in the construction of roads, sea defence, or housing and water infrastructure. “We are very pleased to be associated with this ministry and the minister’s low and moderate income housing initiative,” Kadirullah said.
TPL is currently working on another major initiative, in which they will be expanding its industrial and manufacturing facilities, which is expected to see the creation of hundreds of jobs, especially for people on the East Bank of Demerara.
