Minister Ali, Chairman Faerber laud housing allocation benefits
MINISTER of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali said, on Monday last, that over the last five years alone, the Government of Guyana and his ministry have invested approximately $5 billion in the Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Housing Sector to benefit  thousands living  there. Addressing a large crowd at another ‘One Stop Shop’ exercise, he said the Government’s ability to, consistently, invest in key and critical areas, such as housing, is due to the resilience of the country’s economy.
“We were able to grow the economy in the first half of this year by more then five percent. There is a positive correlation between the economic growth and development today,” he explained.
Alluding to the advantages of the Region 3 development, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber confirmed that all the residents welcome the growth facilitated by the robust housing development there.
“Well, we have had quite a lot of development in terms of housing and infrastructure, as we have quite a lot of land space available, we welcome the development,” he said.
As a result of the increasing population size, there has been an increase in economic development, expansion in agriculture, as well as the availability of more services, Faerber noted.
He also pointed out that, in addition to the benefits resulting from the housing programme, there are other developments taking place there.
“Our Capital Works Programme is about 80 per cent completed, the current work programme is about 75 percent done and is moving along satisfactorily.”
According to Faerber, the one area of concern presently is the upgrading of dams for the rice farmers.
“We have been working with the various agencies but then we have problems with the inclement weather, as well, but we are working despite those problems and progressing satisfactorily,” he reported.
Faerber disclosed that most of the schools in the Region have been refurbished and works on the Information Technology Centre (ITC) at Leonora is 90 percent finished and will be opened in a matter of weeks.

OLPF
He informed, too, that the verification process for the One Lap Top Per Family (OLPF) initiative is progressing and, when fully underway, would add tremendous benefits.
Some 20,000 lots were made available in Region 3 over the last 10 years, to some 85,000 beneficiaries and even more are set to benefit from lots still to be allocated.
During the allocation exercise on Monday, several beneficiaries took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the Administration and the Minister for helping to improve the quality of lives.
“I cannot believe that, after so long, I can finally say that I will own my own home. This is something great for my family as we don’t have a home right now,” Juanita Lashley acknowledged.
She and her family were left homeless after their home, in Kingston, Georgetown, went up in flames, earlier this year.
Lashley expressed her profound thanks to all those involved in ensuring that her lot was processed in a timely manner.
“The Housing Minister promised that he would give us lots after the fire and this shows that he kept that promise,” she confirmed.
Another beneficiary, Raywattie Ram said it was the best thing that has happened to her since the birth of her son, Avinash.
“I can’t believe this. We can soon start building our home. When my son grows up, he will have a place of his own. I want to say thanks to all those who made this possible for me and my family,” she said.