Bulkan lauds FFTP housing scheme in West Berbice, pledges support
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan with some of the beneficiaries of the FFTP housing project.
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan with some of the beneficiaries of the FFTP housing project.

BENEFICIARIES of the 43 houses provided for needy persons at Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice by Food For The Poor (FFTP), have been assured of central government’s support in expediting the provision of water and electricity so that they can enjoy these basic amenities as soon as possible after gaining occupancy.“I can appreciate how difficult it is to live without water and electricity. The central government will strive to allow for the provision of those services in a timely manner,” Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan told the families during a fact- finding visit to the site Saturday.
Forty-three families are to benefit from the FFTP scheme of two-bedroom houses on land provided by the Hopetown Multipurpose Coop Society. The housing scheme will also be fitted with a recreational facility and playground. Minister Bulkan praised the FFTP for undertaking the project, which he described as a humanitarian and “noble gesture.” He noted that the buildings were constructed to admirable standards.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FFTP, Kent Vincent, disclosed that financing for the houses was donated by philanthropist, Joseph Roetheli, a United States citizen.
“He has financed the construction of a number of houses on the Essequibo. He is acquainted with Guyana. He loves the country. It is in celebration of his 43rd wedding anniversary that he decided to build 43 houses for 43 families to benefit. We are happy to have been able to benefit from his generosity,” Vincent said.
Forty three of 70 applicants recommended by social and religious organisations were approved by the FFTP for occupation of the houses provided at a cost of $200,000 each. The FFTP paid $100,000 of that sum for each beneficiary.
Senior Projects Officer of the FFTP, Andrea Benjamin, said, “These are very poor people. They could not come up with the $100,000 down payment on their own, so we decided to pay that for them and then give them a year to come up with the remaining $100,000.”
Benjamin said that FFTP wants to hand over the houses at Onderneeming on November 29, 2016 and the contractors are working with this date in mind.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chairman of the RDC of Region Five, Rion Peters, commended the FFTP for the initiative, noting that since the project began a number of people from communities across the region, who are in dire need of housing, have approached the RDC about the possibility of getting similar housing assistance from FFTP. The RDC had informed FFTP accordingly and he hopes that the charitable body may find it possible to assist other needy persons in the region.

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