…$2.8B poured into water sector
GOVERNMENT would be focusing on building houses for low-income and state employees as part of an overall strategy to reform the housing sector here, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced in his budget on Monday.
He also said that in keeping with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Government has allocated $2.8 billion in 2017 towards achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. However, much work remains to be done to ensure an equitable and efficient delivery of high-quality pure water.
HOUSING
Jordan told the House that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has reviewed the process of allocating house lots, given the approximately 25,000 applications on file, of which almost 18,000 are low income individuals. Concerns about the low occupancy of many housing developments and areas have led to reviews of the mechanisms used to enable home ownership.
“What has been revealed is the lack of a holistic approach in providing quality, affordable housing in safe, well-serviced communities. Many recipients of house lots remain unable to start construction, while others have been allocated lots in areas that are woefully under-developed and without basic infrastructure. Still, many more are saddled with poorly constructed turnkey homes,” the minister said.
He said the Housing Profile study is in progress, and would be the basis for the preparation of the National Housing Policy, which is expected to inform the revitalisation of the sector so that it can fulfil its catalytic role within the economy.
“This year, a total of 1,921 new house lots were allocated to potential home owners; 4,208 land titles were distributed, and 173 squatters were regularized,” Jordan disclosed.
He said a new model for providing for the housing needs of the thousands of low-income individuals is being considered, in recognition of the critical links between housing construction, home ownership, consumer spending, revenue generation, and economic growth. Going forward, the mode of providing affordable housing would include a mix of multi-storey apartment buildings, duplexes, and single family homes within sustainable community structures.
“In keeping with our green agenda, structural designs will integrate elements for improved natural lighting and ventilation. While this is ongoing, works will be accelerated to complete the infrastructural development of prioritised housing areas, where allottees have indicated their readiness to begin construction. The Authority is expected to access its own funds to undertake this ambitious programme in 2017.”
Jordan said that for 2017, the Government’s priority action areas in housing would be initiatives targeting low-income and state employees. These initiatives would involve a comprehensive feasibility assessment of existing housing areas, squatting areas and land for future development; the consolidation of planned housing areas; and the upgrading of regularised squatting areas.
Given the huge demand for house lots and the limited availability of serviced lots for distribution, the Government intends to pilot a project to construct apartments, condominiums, and wooden houses in existing planned areas such as Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Perseverance, and Amelia’s Ward.
Also, in 2017, the Government has allocated $100 million under the Hinterland Sustainable Housing Programme for the construction of 115 subsidised housing units, and 45 roof-and-water catchment system subsidies in Regions 1 and 9. On the softer side, Government, through the CHPA, would strengthen its planning function in this sector by holding national planning forums, formulating development plans, organising community development projects, sensitising the general public on building codes and standards, and building the capacity of small local contractors.
WATER ACCESS
Meanwhile, turning his attention to the water and sanitation sectors, Jordan said that over the next five-year strategic cycle, starting from next year, Government would be using a five-pronged approach in pursuit of this objective, involving: improved levels of services and water supply across the country; increased treated water coverage; an expanded metering programme; loss reduction programme, and improved billing and collection of water rates.
Jordan said, too, that a portion of the allocation for 2017 is earmarked for the construction and installation of filters, aerators, and quality assurance systems at the Central Ruimveldt, Covent Garden, Grove, and New Amsterdam water treatment plants.
In addition, new wells will be constructed at Section ‘B’ Sophia, Vergenoegen, Pouderoyen, Westminster, and New Amsterdam; and water supply systems will be installed at hinterland locations, including at Chenapau, Tassarene, Matthew’s Ridge, and Yarakita.
“We will also improve energy efficiency in water supply by utilising solar photovoltaic systems for schools, health facilities, and Government buildings in Regions 1, 7, and 9 that will benefit over 2,500 residents.”
According to Jordan, next year, under the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Programme, provision has been made to replace deteriorated pipelines and increase metering coverage, which will see 15,000 meters installed by the end of 2017. Further, the water authority will be pursuing investment in an upgraded billing system in support of its loss reduction initiatives.
In the area of water safety and quality, a laboratory has been established at the Shelter Belt water treatment plant, and will be complemented by the establishment of 50 mini-laboratories at each of the 23 remaining treatment plants across the country.
“This will ensure the water distributed to the customers is of the highest quality, in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards,” the finance minister said.
He disclosed that the administration would, in 2017, launch a National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy which will focus on maintaining a cleaner environment and providing better public health protection. In order to minimise the public health hazards that have arisen from improper waste dumping, the Government has allocated $338 million for the design and construction of new sanitary landfill sites in Bartica and Linden.
In addition, landfill sites at Belle Vue, Lusignan, Lethem, and Mabaruma will be upgraded, while a new temporary holding area at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill will be created. “Further, to maintain the aesthetics of our communities, we have allocated a sum of $150 million for the Community Organised for Restoring the Environment (CORE) programme, which will employ 20 small community groups throughout the country to undertake upgrading, refurbishment, rehabilitation, and beautification of the immediate and contiguous areas of public works sites.”
Besides, Jordan said, Government will roll out a nationwide public relations campaign that would seek to effect behavioural change in the populace.
“Having already focused on the schools, the wider public will be targeted for education in proper solid waste disposal practices, including the separation of organic from inorganic litter, and waste reduction principles,” he said.
