CONTINUING massive development along the East Bank Demerara corridor is a positive indicator of the ongoing growth in the country and, when completed, will result in the distribution of approximately 15,000 house lots to deserving Guyanese.
Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali said so, earlier this week, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, when he gave an update on the progress of works in the targeted areas, including Eccles, Herstelling and Providence.
He gave the assurance that all of the planned improvements are intended to transform the corridor into an area of growth and development, which is evident in the Government’s  continued efforts to invest, stimulate and motivate the economy.
According to him, close to 1,000 lots have already been developed in the Eccles Scheme and testimony to the accelerated rate is that 40 homes are under construction there.
He said persons have moved to build their homes in less than four months and, further along, developmental works have been done on 600 lots in the Herstelling scheme, where 20 houses are also being constructed.
Alluding to the additional expansion of this area, Ali said another 400 lots have already been tendered to develop 100 acres that will see 500 more lots in Herstelling.
“This will bring the entire Herstelling section to about 1,500 lots, with 1,000 in Eccles,” Ali said.
He also disclosed that, adjacent to Herstelling, 300 acres of land will be developed to accommodate 1,500 lots by year-end.
Noting the ongoing preparation in the Providence Housing Scheme, he said the land is for distribution in moderate to low-income lots for which 900 lots will be made available.
Of the advancing works at Providence, Ali said:”We are about 47 percent finished, in terms of infrastructure there. We have already created the alternative entrance and exit going to the first cross dam. It is an 18 feet wide road with crusher run surface that goes through the Providence Plantation.”
He also explained that there are plans to expand housing areas in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) to cater for increasing demands there.
In this regard, his ministry is working assiduously to have an additional 400 lots available in Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, by the end of September.
Ali said, on East Coast Demerara, attempts are being made to acquire land to develop 1,000 more lots by year-end of this year.
The completion of Mabaruma Housing Scheme and another 500 lots in Bartica, Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) are also scheduled.