THURSDAY October 20, 2011 will forever be regarded as a significant day for more than 1000 Lindeners, as, for the very first time in their lives,  they were given the opportunity of owning their own homes in the Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) community of Amelia’s Ward, Phase III.
For many, this significant event was a dream come true; and they collectively acknowledged that it was made possible only through the relentless drive of the Government of Guyana to ensure that every Guyanese – irrespective of race, class, creed, or location – has access to the social infrastructure necessary to improve their lives.
According to Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, the development sweeping the nation is a direct result of the country’s sound economic standing.
Minister Ali proudly disclosed: “I want to make the point that our economy is now allowing us the opportunity to invest more and more in our country. And that is why we can have 13 One Stop Shops; that is why we can have expanded housing development, and why we could have achieved the target of 17,000 house lots even before the time allocated by President Bharrat Jagdeo less than three years ago.”
Ali was at the time addressing those beneficiaries gathered in Linden on Friday morning to participate in the allocation exercise.
Notwithstanding the many challenges, he pledged that the Ministry of Housing and the Government of Guyana would continue to deliver to the people of this country the services and infrastructure necessary to ensure the highest quality of life for them and their children.
“This is progress, and we are going to continue to make investments until we have satisfied the demands of all of our people,” Minister Ali declared.
Expressions of gratitude
The beneficiaries present expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who had made it possible for them to now have a stake in their country.
One such allottee, Donnette Mc. Farlane, pointed out that her life will never be the same after Friday’s allocation.
“I applied since 2005, and I was checking almost every day until I get through. I thank God that I got through, because there are three of us in my family. As a young woman, this is a good thing. Now I have something of my own, and I want to say thanks to the minister for making this possible,” she said.
Mc Farlane acknowledged that the development taking place in Region Ten is a “good thing for all the residents there”.
In her vote of thanks, Rohini Mohammed said, “I am happy, and today I am one step closer to my home. I have five children, and they can grow up with something more than I did. This is a nice thing they are doing here, and more jobs and money are going to come in because of this.”
Meanwhile, Guyana Defence Force officer Roland Quimby said he was happy, because he had been waiting for over four years to hear from the Housing Ministry.
“I live with my mom, my niece and my small brother. After today, I can start to build my own house. This that is happening here is very good for the people living here,” he said, as he suppressed tears.
For Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duke, family life will be drastically improved, as they are but one step closer to home ownership, and ultimately a more secure future.
“My wife, who is a teacher, applied since 2003. I feel great that we get our house lot at this time. It’s a great joy for us. We have two children, and this means that they will not have to grow up in renting anybody’s house. It will be their own when we are gone. I want to say thanks to all those people who made this happen for us. Thank you again!”
“It’s been a long road to get here today. The development of housing in Amelia’s Ward is rapidly progressing; and seeing that they have issued another set of lots, we are looking at more development where that is concerned. I waited a long time for this, and now I have a place of my own,” Anita Lukhoo explained.