New housing developments are to be initiated this year in Perseverance, Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward, among other areas, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who says government will seek to continue establishing “cohesive” communities.
“…The government will forge ahead with its programme of establishing cohesive communities in which serviced lots, other social infrastructure and amenities including green spaces, parks and recreational facilities, are provided to ensure an improved quality of life,” Jordan told the House during his presentation of the proposed 2016 national budget.
According to Jordan, last year the government spent $1.9 billion on infrastructural improvements in housing schemes, while 74 turn-key homes were built and over 4,000 land titles were distributed. The high rate of possession of these turn-key homes and lots indicates that new home owners are eager to realize their dream of home ownership, he added.
He further noted that approximately $4.2 billion has been earmarked to assist in developing the four communities identified to be upgraded to township—Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem. “This investment will realise the decentralisation of key government systems into these communities as well as provide for the establishment and upgrading of critical infrastructure,” he said.
Jordan also said that for this year over $644 million would be spent to expand the Hinterland Housing Project, which will provide housing subsidy for the construction of houses and the replacement of roofs in regions 1 and 9.
Additionally, he said apart from the new housing developments, the government would continue with infrastructure works in existing housing schemes countrywide, including the installation of electricity and provision for potable water.
On the latter, Jordan stated that access to potable water is a fundamental human right and announced that $4 billion has been allocated this year to improve and expand access to water across Guyana. Areas that will be targeted for water supply and line distribution improvements and expansion include Paramakatoi, Mahdia, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Hubu to Naamless, Waia Kabra, Yarrowkabra, Area ‘C’ Golden Grove, Victoria, Lusignan, Le Ressouvenir, Vryheid’s Lust, Albouystown, West La Penitence, Baramita, Parakees, Canal Bank, Belladrum, Lovely Lass, Itaballi and Tiger Pond. Over 18,000 persons are expected to benefit from these improvements.
Another 11,000 persons are slated to benefit from the rehabilitation of water treatment plants at Cotton Tree and Bartica, he added.
Jordan also said new wells are earmarked for Vergenoegen and Lima Sands, while a ground storage facility will be installed in Sophia. He said too that $2 billion is to be allocated for the drilling of new wells at Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor, while a $5.6 billion programme is being designed to see new water treatment plants constructed at Friendship, Hope Estate, Bush Lot, Leguan, Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and other locations in regions 2 and 6.
Jordan also said systems in order to achieve the targeted outcomes in the water sector would be strengthened and towards this end he noted that efforts would be made to resuscitate the National Water Council, the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Programme and the Dakoura Creek Watershed Protection Plan. “In tandem with these initiatives, will be our drive to increase national water delivery coverage,” he said, while noting that $1.6 billion was spent last year to expand and rehabilitate the water supply and distribution systems across the country. For the first time, over 1,200 residents are receiving potable water in Ann’s Grove, Angoy’s Avenue and Friendship, he pointed out.
