Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal yesterday conducted an inspection at Golden Grove-Block 13, East Bank Demerara and said that infrastructural work for the housing scheme there should be finished next month.
The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Director of Projects at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Intakab Indarjeet, technical staff and contractors.
A release yesterday from the CH&PA said that the area has been allocated to 1883 persons who have been eagerly awaiting their lands. Delays in the project occurred due to challenges related to accessing the area and contractors encountering wetlands, which required additional time to properly drain the land. The prolonged dry season facilitated improved drainage conditions, the release said. Additionally, the Ministry collaborated with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority to address drainage concerns. Access to the area was improved following the completion of another block.
The works within the scheme are divided into seven lots, with two lots already completed and lot identification underway. Croal said that by mid-May, all lots except one will be ready. The final lot he said will be ready for access by the end of May and liquidated damages will be applied to the contractor after April 30, 2024.
“Persons have invested their money, they are waiting to have access to their land. They want to build and so we do have a responsibility to have these works completed as quickly as possible,” said the Minister.
Some 1700 persons were allocated lots at Golden Grove-Block 18. These now fall within the extension at Block 13 due to the low-lying land at Block 18. The Minister said works are ongoing and first set of individuals will be able to gain access by mid-May. By June, he said all persons are expected to see their land.
Some $3.3 billion was allocated for infrastructure works in the initial phase of the Block 13 scheme and $568 million for the extension. Works include land preparation, construction of road networks, culverts, drainage and pipe works, the release said.
