…in addition to 120 now being developed, as economic expansion sweeps mining area
HOUSING and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali has announced plans to create an additional 150 house lots in the mining town of Mahdia, in Region 8, in addition to the 120 presently under development in the area, providing hundreds of Guyanese with homes. Already officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), the Guyana Lands and Survey, and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) are in discussion on the creating the additional lots, he said.
Ali made this disclosure Monday, while meeting with residents in the region, along with a team from the CH&PA and GWI. He said that the government has injected $40M for the preparation and distribution of lands at Mahdia, benefiting hundreds of Guyanese living there.
He pointed out that the expansion is to facilitate the increasing housing demand in the region, resulting from the economic expansion sweeping the mining area.
“We at the Ministry of Housing are happy to be able to respond to this need, which will benefit all of the residents and help them to achieve the socio-economic benefits of home ownership. The $40M relates specifically to the investment in setting up the road networks and pipe network for the community,” he explained.
He said, “Once we have the required 75 per cent occupancy rate over approximately a year and a half, we will move to install the power network system.”
In this regard, he underscored the need for “balance” in the development of these additional areas, warning against “letting demand outstrip supply or supply outstrip demand”.
According to the Housing Minister, the Government of Guyana recognises the need for the continued delivery of services to its people, across the country, and as such will continue to invest to provide this.
“The investment will be continued because we believe in our people and we believe in making continued investment in the development of the lives of the normal man. Our process remains transparent, and we are open for all to criticise us, as we undertake this project, which will impact significantly on the lives of our comrades in Mahdia,” he emphasised.
Though optimistic that the increase in lots will serve to benefit even more families in the region, Ali expressed concern over the fact that miners in the area are encroaching on lands earmarked for housing development, resulting in great losses as well as robbing many residents of the opportunity to occupy their lots.
He called on residents to protect their properties and erect the necessary infrastructure, such as palls and barriers along the roadways, to prevent the miners from entering the scheme. He also encouraged them to commence building as soon as possible.