– dramatically changing East Bank corridor
A GINA Feature
Diamond Housing Scheme, once marked by lush green sugar cane fields, men fishing in the canals and animals grazing on the outskirts, has now become one of the largest and most impressive housing schemes established under the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government. Diamond, on the East Bank Demerara, just about 25 minutes away from the capital city of Georgetown, has been rapidly transforming over the past few years, as it prepares for township status. This area is one of several earmarked for township, as the government pursues a path of modernising the country. Others include Supenaam, Parika, Bartica and Charity.
Adjoining Grove, this housing scheme, located approximately 11 miles from Georgetown, boasts occupancy of over 40,000 residents and is regarded as one of Central Housing and Planning Authority’s largest emerging urban centers. The expansion of services points to increase in the value of property in this east Bank community.
With so much happening, the entire physical landscape of the area has been transformed and has heightened the importance of the East Bank corridor in the development scheme.

Infrastructure
New infrastructure and facilities distinguish the Diamond/Grove scheme from the other housing schemes, and it is already taking on the features of ‘township’.
This Scheme has benefited from in excess of $2B which propelled its development as Government invested 50% of that amount on basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, culverts, bridges and a modern water supply system.
A paved corridor to promote traffic safety and a pedestrian crossing, along with a pedestrian walkway and a bus shed, were also constructed along the main highway.
To ease the traffic congestion at the scheme’s entrance, Government has strategically erected traffic lights to ensure the safety of commuters and reduce obstruction caused by traffic.

Health and Education
Today, Diamond boasts its own modern Secondary School, equipped with computer and other laboratories, with the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 students.
There is the Diamond, East Bank Demerara Hospital which was commissioned in October 2007. This impacted tremendously on the health sector as it has expanded the country’s surgical facilities and precludes the need for patients to travel to Georgetown to seek medical attention. It offers laboratory services, intensive care, x-ray, ultra-sound and a surgical theatre.

Water
With the population rising due to increased occupancy rates of house lots granted by government, the establishment of a new well has been well accepted by the thousands of residents who began benefitting from this from October last.
The $56M well located at Sixth Street, serves over 8,000 residents of Diamond/Grove.

Market facilities
The market, an initiative by Government to provide an organised and secure vending area for persons who depend on vending as a means of living, will benefit thousands of people living on the East Bank of Demerara, especially in neighbouring villages.
This will be bringing a much needed service to the residents and will preclude the need for them to travel to the city to purchase their groceries and vegetables.

Other facilities
A modern $30M police station, with interview and parade rooms and five lockups, has already been built at Block Y.
Diamond is beginning to look like a town with distinguishing features such as the soon to be completed Guyoil Service Station and convenience store situated obliquely opposite the state of the art Regional Hospital on the East Bank Highway, the Guyana Bank for Trade, Industry and Commerce (GBTI) and Republic Bank.
The Housing scheme facilitates high-income, middle-income and low-income homes, catering for all categories of Guyanese.
The social landscape of this rapidly developing area has seen the integration of persons of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, co-existing in harmony.
Today, the massive changes that are evident in Diamond/Grove are features of it transformation into a town.