As part of government’s drive to increase skills training for its citizens to enable them to participate fully in the country’s economic boom, the Ministry of Housing and Water (MoHW) has introduced an initiative designed to foster economic growth in vulnerable communities.
A release from the ministry stated that the programme, the Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP) was yesterday introduced to the residents of Sophia at the ‘B’ Field Community Centre Ground by Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, along with Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) Deputy Director of Community Development, Donell Bess-Bascom; and Engineer, Jamal Brotherson.
According to the release, CESP is an initiative conceptualised by President Irfaan Ali and launched in 2021, which provides participants with the opportunity to produce cement blocks intended for the national housing drive.
Minister Rodrigues explained in detail how the project offers start-up packages, comprehensive training, and marketing support to assist groups in the early stages of block production. MoHW has already trained various groups, such as the North Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, which has persons living with disabilities. She emphasised the transformative impact of the project, highlighting the example of the Leopold Street Inc group, which has evolved from block production to becoming contractors involved in home construction.
Numerous residents from Sophia expressed interest in the programme, leading to the proposal of two groups within different sections of the community. The Ministry will review these proposals to determine the appropriate course of action moving forward.
Communities targeted under CESP are Tiger Bay, Albouystown, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt, Agrícola, Mocha, Lusignan, and Buxton, Victoria, Leopold Street and North Ruimveldt (Region Four); Canje (Region Six) and Linden (Region Ten).
To date over ninety persons have been employed under CESP and start-up packages have been provided to the Guyana Society for the Blind, North Ruimveldt Parent Support group, S.B Building Supplies and Construction-Victoria, East Coast Demerara, and Leopold Inc – Leopold Street, Georgetown. A number of individuals have benefited from training in life skills, financial management, record keeping, entrepreneurial awareness, leadership skills, and block making.
MoHW also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guyana Prison Service for the production of 500,000 concrete blocks. These blocks will be used for the development of the Silica City Project and help to provide economic benefits for incarcerated persons and their dependents.
The CH&PA has partnered with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Contractors, Guyana Council of Organization for Persons with Disabilities, and Small Business Bureau, the release added.
