Seven small business owners hailing from the East Bank of Demerara have received compensation under the Adequate Hous-ing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP) Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) in a payout totalling some $676,000, a Ministry of Housing and Water release stated yesterday.
The cash entitlement was disbursed yesterday at a ceremony held at the offices of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Brickdam, Georgetown.
According to the release, the LRP supports individuals classified as Project-Affected Persons (PAPs), who were economically displaced by infrastructure works in their communities. The plan ensures that affected persons can re-establish or improve their socio-economic conditions, with the process implemented in a transparent, consistent, and equitable manner.
The compensation targeted PAPs from areas where significant infrastructure upgrades were completed, including Covent Garden, Farm (Phases 1 and 2), Herstelling, Providence (Phase 2, North and South), Peter’s Hall, and Persever-ance. These upgrades involved the upgrade of 8.34 kilometres of roads, 2.043 kilometres of reinforced concrete drains and sidewalks, as well as the construction of concrete sidewalks measuring 600mm.
The release noted that in addition to compensation, PAPs will soon benefit from capacity-building training covering entrepreneurial awareness, financial management, record-keeping, small business development, taxation, and business regularisation.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who oversaw the disbursement, highlighted the partnership between the AHUAP and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He noted that the programme focuses on improving the quality of life in urban and peri-urban Georgetown through enhanced access to adequate housing, infrastructure, and mobility services, particularly for low-income populations.
“When a government is elected, it’s to implement programmes and policies that improve citizens’ lives and secure a better future for our children… These are the sort of initiatives that touch people’s lives and make an impact,” Minister Croal stated.
Croal also announced the construction of two community facilities in Herstelling and Covent Garden, as well as further housing distributions and subsidies.
A similar initiative is planned for Onderneeming next week, and the minister revealed additional plans for community development, the release added.
