IN keeping with the Administration’s promise of affording Guyanese home ownership, the Ministry of Housing and Water’s ‘One Stop Shop’ programme was taken to Region 2, where 130 houselots were distributed to persons for the Phase 2 of the Onderneeming Housing Scheme. Persons requiring house lots for the first time had the opportunity to make their application at Friday’s One Stop Shop exercise, the sixth for this year.
“The commitment of the government in particular and the work of the Ministry of Housing and Water is focused on ensuring that every Guyanese who so desire has the opportunity to own a home,” Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water Emile Mc Garrel said at the event held at the Anna Regina Town Council Compound.
In the Phase 2 Onderneeming, there are approximately 1000 lots and the permanent secretary assured that the ministry will be working towards the development of the lots.
Potential home owners will have access to drainage, roads, electricity and water.
The $54 M contract to develop water and access roads in the scheme is 90 percent completed. The sum of
$25 M will also be expended on installing electricity.
In addition, works are on stream to develop a new well in the area so that residents can benefit from potable water.
Since, the commencement of the ‘One Stop Shop’ initiative, partnerships between private entities and the Ministry of Housing have accelerated the process for house lots application and have assisted in providing the necessary resources to acquire home owners’ dreams.
Among the entities present to assist home owners at the one stop shop in Region 2, were Court’s Guyana Limited, Demerara Bank Limited, Republic and Scotia Banks and Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life insurance company.
Regional Chairman, Region 2, Ali Baskh stated that the People’s Progressive Party /Civic administration has succeeded in delivering house lots as outlined in the party’s 2006 manifesto.
He alluded to the significant improvement in the housing sector in Region 2 and across the country, noting that this venture is much appreciated by the residents.  Baksh noted that the one Stop Shop is a project that brings immediate results.
He said that the drive from the scheme to the road is approximately five minutes and with a better road network people should take advantage.
Under the theme, “Affordable Housing for All -establishing sustainable communities”, One Stop Shops were held in Regions 4, 5, 6 and 2 for 2011.(GINA)