– bank, gas station, shopping mall and another access road on the cards
The Ministry of Housing in partnership with the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development and Public Works, has embarked on a programme for the consolidation of infrastructure in areas of massive development in the Diamond-Grove housing scheme, East Bank Demerara., one of the fastest growing and largest housing areas in the country, with a population of about 40, 000 people.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali and Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall at the meeting with private stakeholders discussing the consolidation of infrastructure for the Diamond-Grove Housing Scheme

Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn and private stakeholders met Friday at the Housing Ministry to discuss a $500M plan to change the landscape of the housing scheme, which is soon to become a town.

This is another move by the Government to have both the private and public stakeholders involved in community expansion.

The meeting discussed measures that could be implemented to reduce chaos at the entrance of the housing scheme which tends to create hazards. The Ministries are hoping to decrease congestion, reduce risks for the travelling public and improve traffic safety.

A section of the private stakeholders at the meeting

Three banks, (Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Republic Bank and Citizens Bank), a gas station, a shopping mall, a parking lot, a market and another access road are proposed for the area.

There is already a modern secondary school, the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital and a police station in the area.

This project is to ensure optimum opportunity for good public benefits to facilitate development for the people of Diamond.

Government has expended in excess of $2B to develop the housing scheme with 50% of that spent on putting in basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, culverts, bridges and a water supply system.

Plans are also underway to establish a multi-purpose centre for the Diamond/Grove community that will serve the community’s educational needs. (GINA )