–Recht-Door-Zee, Amelia’s Ward among the lot
THE Central Housing and Planning Authority reports it is working assiduously on realising its target for 2014, one of which is completing the installation of electrical distribution networks at several Government-led housing schemes countrywide.Among areas to be electrified are those developments along the East Bank of Demerara, and in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); and Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), which account for a total of some 37 schemes.
The CHPA says it will be inviting bids shortly, by way of public tender, for works related to putting down the necessary utility poles etcetera for 14 of the proposed 37 areas, among them Recht-Door-Zee Phase Two (on the West Bank); Amelia’s Ward Phase Three (‘Linden-side’); and Plot ‘B’ Herstelling and Providence Phase Two, both on the East Bank.
It is hoped that work on the 14 target areas will be completed during the course of the year, while it is anticipated that work on the remaining 23 areas, which are currently at the design stage, will commence before year-end.
Allottees of ‘turn-key’ houses at Providence were able to access electricity last September, in good time for the Christmas holidays. Work is currently ongoing in several other areas, such as in Regions Three and Six, with completion slated for “the fourth quarter of this year.”

Growth in the sector
Meanwhile, the housing sector has reportedly recorded significant progress in 2013, and plans are afoot to top these achievements in 2014.
According to Housing Minister, Mr Irfaan Ali, the application process for house-lots is now happening in ‘real time’ in some areas, though in Region Four’s case, the Ministry is still processing applications from as far back as 2010.
Ali explained that the main reason for this seeming ‘backlog’ is because many of the persons already residing in Region Four do not want to leave the area, and are insisting on acquiring land there.
Meanwhile, the Minister has noted that the East Bank was “the penultimate tier” in the housing sector’s ambitious development thrust for 2013, and saw over 400 persons being employed in varying skills areas in the new housing areas.
Additionally, approximately 8,500 house-lots were distributed in 2013, with some 7,000 persons already in receipt of their titles. According to Minister Ali, his Ministry is looking to allocate another 6,000 lots, given the demand for ‘turn-key’ homes, clerical office homes and the low high-income homes which is now at an all-time high.
Ali said plans are also afoot to expand Little Diamond, on the East Bank to accommodate industrial and commercial enterprises so as to help ease the pressure on the city to supply the demand for jobs.
Several new housing schemes are to also be upgraded this year, among them Zeeburg and Zeelugt where 1,500 lots will be distributed collectively. Completion of the new highway linking Parfaite Harmonie closer to the Demerara Harbour Bridge is also expected to come on stream this year.
Another important highway is the one linking the East Coast to the East Bank, with designs to be completed and works to commence in early 2014.