The Ministry of Housing and Water One Stop Shop at Anna Regina attracted a large crowd Friday morning.
Permanent Secretary of the Housing Ministry, Emil Mc Garrell, who addressed Essequibians, said the One Stop Shop is the sixth for this year and residents will get an opportunity to apply for house lots in Phase Two of the Onderneeming Housing Scheme.
According to Mc Garrell, 130 lots will be available in the scheme for distribution to applicants at the One Stop Shop.
The Permanent Secretary said the One Stop Shop, already held in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6, is held under the theme “Affordable Housing For All, Establishing Sustainable Communities”.
He also reported that the Ministry is currently spending some $54M to develop roads and drainage networks in the scheme.
He also announced that work will start soon to develop electricity and to drill a new well in the area which has some 1,000 house lots.
Chairman of Region Two, Ali Baksh, said the massive housing drive across the country is the fulfillment of a promise in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) manifesto in 2006.
The chairman said the Onderneeming Scheme is being developed and urged Essequibians to make full use of the One Stop Shop to apply for house lots.
Several representatives from the banking sector, mainly Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, New Building Society and Courts (which is giving small loans up to $100,000) were at the One Stop Shop.
Representatives from the Guyana Water Incorporated were also in attendance to assist with applications for potable water when the applications were approved.
Vice Chairman Mr Vishnu Samaroo was also at the opening ceremony of the One Stop Shop.