Dear Editor,
I must register my disappointment with the Ministry of Housing, the pace at which they work and their incompetence. I was allocated a house lot at the Zeeburg/ DeWillem Housing Scheme in 2015. I paid for it in full by 2016. After much inquiring and running around, I was issued the Agreement of Sale in 2019. Intent on moving into my own home as soon as possible, I went to the New Building Society (NBS) to apply for a home loan in that very year. I was enthusiastic when I was told the mortgage would be approved within a month. However, the approval required the issuance of a Letter of Assurance from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). A letter was sent by NBS to CHPA on 13th August 2019 requesting the letter of assurance. This I have a copy of. A letter of assurance to the bank indicates that whenever the ownership document is available, it will be given to the bank.
During the period 2019-2021, I made at least 6 visits to the housing office in Georgetown. In addition to that, I made numerous telephone calls. Eventually on the 17th February, 2021, I met Minister Susan Rodrigues. She told me that the issue would be resolved within a couple of months. I visited the CH&PA again on the 17th March, 2021 but no progress was related to me on the issue. I called CH&PA again on 23rd November, 2021 but again, no positive response was given concerning the issue. It is almost the end of the year and it is disheartening that after 5 years of fully paying for a house lot from the government (PPP/C and APNU/AFC) one cannot have any assurance that he/she will ever be in possession of the title or transport. This is an extremely hopeless situation for the allottees of house lots at the Zeeburg/ DeWillem Housing Scheme. If CH&PA cannot assure the banks of the availability of the title or transport at any time in the future, then it is reasonable to think that the allottees may die without ever acquiring ownership for land which they toiled and sweat for.
Having paid in full, we were given documents that were and are totally useless to the banks. Every time I make contact with senior officials at CH&PA, I am told that nothing is being done for Zeeburg/ DeWillem Scheme. Every time I hear this, it’s like a stab in the guts. Every time I experience the heart-wrenching pain of having to pay rent for another year and another year. It is distressing and appalling that the government treat their young professionals in this manner and expect to curb brain drain. I suggest that if the Government cannot issue ownership documents to allottees in a timely manner, then they should extend the building of contract houses to those allottees who are desirous of this at the Zeeburg/DeWillem Housing Scheme. Another suggestion is that the CH&PA give building materials as listed in allottees’ building estimates. The government can also stand as guarantor for the allottees at the bank so that their loans can be approved and they can commence building their homes so that their ‘dreams can be realized’.
Finally, I am suggesting that the CH&PA simply issue the letter of assurance to the banks until they have resolved internal matters to give out land titles. With the increasing cost of building materials, the high cost of rent and living in Guyana, it is impossible to save and build. It should be noted that current President, Irfaan Ali, was the Minister of Housing at the time the lots were allocated; given that he now holds the highest office in the land, I am pleading that he use his power to fix this injustice being meted out to the allottees at Zeeburg/DeWillem Housing Scheme. We have been neglected for far too long. If they cannot fix this issue in the next few months, then in my analysis they are just as incompetent as previous governments, and Guyana would have been a better country under British rule.
Sincerely,
B. Persaud