MINSITER of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali said his Ministry will this year expand its “One Stop Shop” programme in its continued effort to further advance the development of the housing sector, and improve the water sector.
He was speaking during his presentation in the 2010 budget debate last Wednesday before the National Assembly.
“I rise to support budget 2010 that definitely reaches out to the ordinary; opens new opportunities; consolidate our hope; advance transparency; and consolidate accountability,” he stated.
He also rebutted claims by the Alliance for Change (AFC) regarding programmes for development, and also replying to claims by People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Member of Parliament (MP), Vanessa Kissoon, about Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), he said,” Let me bring the facts about Region Ten to this House.”
“I have a problem when our parliamentarians try to divide and create an impression of inequitable treatment by the Government – I have a serious problem with that,” he exhorted.
He said “the people of all of Guyana are the responsibility of this Government” and between 2006 and 2009, approximately $544M was spent in that region in housing covering roads, pipe lines, drains, and delivering 5,325 house lots benefit more than 21,000 Lindeners.
In 2009 alone, approximately 600 house lots were allocated in the region, and in 2010, the government will continue the expansion in the housing sector by spending more than $378M creating more than a 1,000 lots with roads, drains and pipelines.
“In addition to this, we are going to ensure that the One Stop Shop delivers 1,000 more house lots by the end of this year to the people of Linden,” assuring his ministry is committed to this.
Alluding to teachers and nurses, he disclosed that in 2009, 69 teachers and 19 nurses benefited from house lots in Region Ten bringing the accumulated total to 145 teachers and 83 nurses.
In the water sector, he said in the region more than $163M was spent with a new $86M well just completed at Amelia Ward to benefit 12,000 people, and the installation of the transmission main linking Amelia Wards and McKenzie water supply system among other works were done.
He said in 2010, the expansion will continue as they seek to rehabilitate various sections of the distribution network in Richmond Hill, one Mile, Half Mile and Canvas City brining benefit to 11,000 persons.
However, he noted that one of the major challenges in Linden in the water sector is the high operating cost as a result of energy consumption but Linden also have the potential of having a good gravity feed system hence a Linden master plan will be completed that will look holistically at the water sector in reducing the operating cost, and improving efficiently and effectiveness.
“This Government stands committed to the improvement in the water sector,” he underscored, and to this end, he said per capita investment in the water sector in Region Ten is $4,000, and Government subsidy in operating cost for water is $2B excluding pensioner subsidy of more than $200M benefitting more than 17,000 pensioners, and more than $4B capital investment in 2010.
Ali revealed that per capita the government is subsidizing in the delivery of water is $8,000 in 2010 noting, “This is a Government that believes in equity.”
He admitted that the issue of treated water is a genuine issue and must be taken seriously, noting, “We have to evaluate at what stage of development the water sector is, and we have to determine our capacity both in terms of financial resources and human resources on how we can achieve the target of a 100 per cent treated water.”
He said water treatment on the coastal will cost about $70,000 and hinterland areas $120,000 per capita, noting that to accomplish 100 per cent treatment in coastal areas alone would cost almost $28B stressing, “That is the reality of the situation.” .
Hence, he noted that they have to work on a comprehensive plan in achieving this target notwithstanding the huge investment cost stating, “And that is part of our projections this year.”
Minister Ali also underscored the importance of conservation and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has to work aggressively on issues of leak repairs and improving the network.
Alluding to the issue of wells, he said most of the wells “are approaching or have passed the design life cycle” of 30 years hence “we need to commence an aggressive programme of replacing those wells”.
“But very importantly, too, in replacing we have to do it strategically based on the shift in population and the projected growth as housing development continues to expand,” he underlined.
Touching on the housing sector, he alluded to strides made and successful programmes.
About the One Stop Shop programme, he announced, “Not only would we continue but we are going to expand in 2010.”
“Because we are going to hit Region One (Barima/Waini) and Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) as we seek to develop 200 core homes in hinterland pilot communities,” he explained.
He reminded that the One Stop Shop benefited more than 10,500 persons in 2009 adding, “This exercise allowed for public scrutiny, openness and transparency, and it built a team approach and allowed us to work with our people.”
Turning to value for money, the in house investment made in the human capacity has suppressed the needs for consultancy as almost all of the projects in the water sector is designed and supervised in house saving $120M last year that would have otherwise been paid for consultancy, he said.
He also noted the work being done in the development of Diamond Housing Scheme with banks, gas stations, mall and other facilities, and that similar development is earmarked for Tuschen and Parfaite Harmonie.
In 2009, the Housing Minister posited said the entity exceeded its target by more than 157 per cent by allocating more than 4,300 house lots acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the ministry’s staff.
“I wish to assure the Minister of Finance that the staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority would continue to work tirelessly in ensuring your projections of 5,500 house lots is met,” he assured.
He said the $2.7B investment in housing would create direct employment for more than 2,600 of varied skill levels, and in terms of the $2.8B investment in 2010 for water sector would bring direct benefit through the creation of more than 1,100 jobs, and this investment will benefit more than 400,000 residents across the country.
He stated that the private sector will be expending more than $3B in private housing development, and with the huge demand for retirement homes in Guyana, an investor is in the process of building a facility to house 400 retirement homes that will have in the complex an onsite hospital and recreation centre.
“These are initiatives that the Government wishes to complement and we say to the members of the private sector who are working in the housing sector – we are here with you hand in hand,” he reassured.