– Housing Minister
THE Government of Guyana is adopting an integrated approach towards the expansion of development and it is moving rapidly apace on the East Bank Demerara, Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali said last week Tuesday. He said the government has taken an informed decision to implement a strategy to promote development in that area, at the centre of which is the National Stadium and the Princess Hotel.
Speaking at Blairmont Community Centre, West Bank Berbice, Ali told the gathering: “You are looking at development that will have a comprehensive mix of industrial, commercial and residential areas. We have set aside 150 acres of land for commercial development, a light processing and packaging facility that will also go there, this would be on five acres, a call centre and a few companies within the information communication technology (ICT) sector are also included.”
He said the projected expansion is as a result of government investment, private partnership as well as remigrant development.
Alluding to the progress of the Eccles expansion, Ali informed that 1,000 lots were recently allocated in that area and 85 percent of the infrastructural work there has been completed. The next targeted is the Herstelling Scheme.
“By July, 200 lots will be available in Herstelling in the first phase and, in the second phase, an additional 200 lots would also be ready in September,” the Minister projected.
In addition to those two East Bank Demerara locations, there are also plans for the development of a moderate income section at the back of Providence, Ali disclosed.
He said it would see 400 more lots become available by the commencement of the final quarter of this year.
According to him, growth and expansion is also taking place on the East Coast of Demerara, where several places are targeted, including Enmore, Good Hope, Hope South and Mon Repos.
Ali reported that the planned growth in Enmore has been suspended this year, due to several land development issues.
He said, although work has started in Hope South, there are also some issues with cattle farmers which are being resolved but delaying progress there.
On a positive note, however, Ali announced that contracts have been awarded for works to begin at Good Hope and Mon Repos.
“The contractors are mobilising and we are hoping, by the third quarter this year, to allocate 300 lots in the various areas on the East Coast,” he said.