– updates them about development plans for the areas
MINISTER of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, accompanied by several officials from his Ministry on Wednesday met residents of Strathspey and Enterprise, East Coast Demerara to update them on housing and water plans and to address their concerns.

Minister Ali and other officials addressing Enterprise residents.

Residents interacted freely with the Minister and team which dealt with their concerns.

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UPGRADES
Minister Ali told residents of Strathspey that his Ministry has embarked on a $216M plan to overhaul the water system that would benefit Annandale, Buxton, Friendship, Vigilance and Bladen Hall among other areas.

Approximately $203M has already been spent in the first phase of the project to upgrade the water system to benefit over 24,000 people.

For the second phase, approximately $6M will be spent to upgrade the Friendship Water Treatment Plant and $7M to upgrade pump and motors to increase pressure to benefit another 14,000 people, Minister Ali said.

He said tenders for the projects will be awarded shortly and work is expected to be completed within three months.

While meeting residents at Enterprise, the Minister reported that there have been several complaints from the GWI as it relates to wastage and vandalism to the company’s structures.

He told residents that approximately $60,000 is spent for each household connection and urged residents to safeguard GWI’s structures.

Minister Ali pointed out that works are ongoing to interlink and upgrade the water distribution networks on the East Coast Demerara at a cost of $240M which also includes the construction of a new well at Lusignan.

DEVELOPING HOUSING AT STRATHSPEY AND ENTERPRISE
As it relates to the Housing Sector, Minister Ali said his Ministry recently regularized Area B, Strathspey which has an occupancy rate of 115 house lots. Surveys are also being conducted to regularise a squatter settlement in North Strathspey.

In terms of road network, engineers will commence inspection shortly to accommodate the construction of a major road in Strathspey this year, he said.

Enterprise residents.

Development of road infrastructure, Minister Ali added is also being conducted at North Vigilance housing scheme at a cost of $46M and at Third Street, Bladen Hall at a cost of $8M.

At Enterprise, the Minister noted that over $240M is being spent on infrastructure works for the establishment of 250 house lots.

The Minister further noted that there are a few areas in the Enterprise housing scheme that do not have titles and that his Ministry will be granting these provided that negotiations with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are successful.

Over the years, he said the administration has spent over $250M on infrastructural development in Enterprise for the construction of roads, drains, culverts and the installation of electricity.

REGULARISING SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS
Several concerns were also raised by residents at Enterprise as it relates to the issuance of land titles at the Market Road area and the Sideline Dam.

Head of the Settlements, Regularisation and upgrading Department of the Ministry, Gladwin Charles outlined that a block and occupational survey will be conducted and a written approval will be sought from GuySuCo for the transfer of lots.

He said once the lots are fully in the possession of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) titles will be issued within a year. (GINA)