THE housing drive by the government continues to move apace as it works assiduously to fulfill a promise whereby every Guyanese family would have a home. Since its assumption to office the government began a housing programme which never lost momentum and up to the present time the housing drive continues to be in top gear and even opponents of the government have to concede that housing development has been one of its success story.
During the past 17 years, thousands of Guyanese through-out Guyana have become home owners as the PPP/C government continues to promote housing development.
House lot allocation under the administration has been unparalleled and it plans to further expand the housing sector to develop new house lots and to improve existing housing schemes.
In this regard, only last week another 68 low and middle income earners received house lots yesterday in a new housing development area at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara.

And speaking at the allocation, Housing and Water Minister, Mr. Irfaan Ali said Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) can expect much more development.

“The housing programme in Region Three will continue to be expanded and have the necessary investment from the Government of Guyana,” he assured.

The occasion was another ‘One Stop Shop’ exercise where not only allottees were present but many others who raised concerns about needs.

Ali alluded to the substantial growth in housing at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and the 1,000 more lots expected to be developed there.
He said 660 more will also be available at Parfait/Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, in addition to the 1,000 plus already allocated this year.

Sites at Zeelugt, on the East Bank of Essequibo and Leonora, West Coast Demerara, are being prepared for at least a further 1,000 lots.
According to him, by the end of 2010, some 5,000 lots will be handed over.
He acknowledged though that not everyone who wants a house lot in a particular area may succeed but maintained that there are many other opportunities within Region Three. On this point the minister made a most pertinent point when he appealed for a culture shift and noted that Guyanese people complain about travelling an extra 15 minutes to get to work while, in other countries, they have to commute for as much as three hours.

However, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Guyanese people and said his ministry will work with them to meet their housing requirements but called for their support.
But the successful housing programme has not only involved the distribution of over 100,000 house lots, it has also seen massive infrastructure works done or are being done, as well working with the financial institutions to facilitate concessionary loan terms.
The minister noted that low income loans now attract around 4.2 per cent interest, a rate that is possible because of Guyana’s stable economic situation, a status not being enjoyed by many other countries.
He said housing development impacts transformation in the lives of people and even the economy benefits, like the suppliers of materials, the architects and other stakeholders.
Ali quite rightly asserted that as Minister of Housing, he has no apologies to make for the work it is piloting to develop the sector.