Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal yesterday said that his ministry intends to invest a minimum of $2 billion in infrastructure and the expansion of water delivery in Region Six this year.
The region will also see the construction of 200 houses for low-income residents, he stated.
The minister’s outreach was held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six and attracted residents from across the region.
According to the minister, works had already commenced in the region since an investment to the tune of $54 million was announced last year. He also disclosed that in the ministry’s 2021 programme, an investment of a minimum of $2 billion will be made for infrastructure works in Region Six, “These are for works in Hampshire and Williamsburg, Number 75 Village (Corentyne), Number 79 Village (Corentyne), Ordnance/Fortlands, which includes infrastructure work in terms of road networks, and for new areas to help with the expansion of water delivery,”
In addition to this, Croal said the region will also see the construction of 200 houses, “One hundred intended for Williamsburg and another hundred here at Fortlands catering for low income, and so, Region Six therefore has a spinoff in terms of investment from the housing sector… one can see wealth generation and employment opportunities complemented by safer communities, expanded family, better living lifestyle.”
Furthermore, the minister relayed that presently over 500 transports are being processed from the backlog for residents of Region Six and a team is also being set up to process payments for titles.
One resident, Jacklyn Archer, 58, after meeting with the minister, relayed to Stabroek News that she had applied since 2004 for a house lot, “The minister told me that he gon look after it right away now and I get through.”
Archer, a mother of 12, who left the meeting happy to share the news with her relatives, was allocated a lot in the Fort Ordnance Area.
She said previously she was never given any reasons as to why she was not being allocated a lot and chalked it up to just bad luck. “Maybe I didn’t get luck but I had the confidence to come to the minister today,” she noted.
Meanwhile, during a break, Croal told this newspaper that there were a few available lots in Fort Ordnance and so they were able to assist Archer, who had applied just over 16 years ago.
When questioned about the assurance other residents can now have that their applications will not be lost in the system, the minister relayed that an internal audit was done at the regional office and some weaknesses were discovered. As such, they are working to strengthen the office in Region Six, and have put systems in place to deal with delinquent staff as well.
Meanwhile, the minister pointed out that most persons came with acknowledgement letters yesterday and needed the assurance that once they are entered into the system, they will be called when lots become available.
He urged the residents to also ensure the offices have their updated contact information. He also mentioned that there were some issues of squatting that were raised and assured that these will be investigated.
