THE Housing Ministry’s aggressive drive to empower Guyanese through home ownership was furthered yesterday when more than 1200 families pulled their house lot numbers for Lust-en-Rust, Region Three, at the Ministry’s sixth One Stop Shop for 2013.

The event, which was held at the West Demerara Secondary School, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara was held under the theme, “Live the Guyanese Dream: Home ownership made easier”. Beneficiaries received subsidised lots from as low as $92,000, $200,000 and $300, 000.
Present at the event was the subject Minister himself, Mr. Irfaan Ali, who said the scheme has been heavily subsidised by the Government, as $639,000 has been invested in families who received lots in that area.
“The total investment in this area amounted to $800M; the Government would have invested close to $200,000 on behalf of every person in your family. This is an overall subsidy of 75%, and this is what we did on your behalf, so that all of our people will be able to access this most important service,” Minister Ali said.
Almost half-a-billion dollars has been invested in the development of Lust-en-Rust, which has an infrastructure completion rate of 30 per cent. Overall, some 5,000 persons will benefit from land allocation in Lust-en-Rust.
The Ministry has established partnerships with hardware stores, private developers, Banks and construction companies to aid allottees in acquiring the services at a cut price. Representatives from the companies at reference were also present at yesterday’s event, and Minister Ali commended them for coming on board with the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s drive.

“We are not an authority that allocate house lots alone, but have formed partnerships with businesses, financial institutions and other stakeholders to be able to provide a comprehensive solution for the housing needs and requirement of all segments of our society,” he said.
The Minister also told the large gathering that the house lot allocation process is open and transparent and there is a clause in the Agreement of Sale which states that, if any person is discovered to have misrepresented information on their application forms, any money paid will be forfeited and they will not be granted any house lots.
Also speaking at the event was Region Three Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber, who said that the government is trying its best to ensure all Guyanese are land and home owners. Before 1992, he reminded that the Housing Ministry was disbanded, and it was only after the PPPC government took office that Guyanese were given the opportunity to own their homes through the government’s housing programme.
He added that individuals receive lots and they don’t maintain them and they become abandoned with bushes taking over them, leading to clogged drains, and flooding. “We do not want this. Ensure that you maintain and clean your lands,” he urged
Suresh Sancharie, an allottee, stated that he was thankful to the Ministry and the Government for this initiative, and he was extremely overjoyed because he lives with relatives and will now be able to have his own home.
The sum of $2.5B has been invested in Region Three’s housing sector thus far for 2013.
In November, more than 1,000 lots will be distributed at the Guyana National Stadium for the Covent Garden Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Three others are to be held in December for De Willem and Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara, Region Three, and Providence Phase 3, and Farm Phase 3, East Bank Demerara.
Meanwhile, in other works slated for Region Three, there will be road upgrades for Zeelugt, Zeeburg and Tuschen, that will benefit 2,500 people at a cost of $600M.
Other major investments in the Region for 2013 will see ongoing works in Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme with developments in Lust-en-Rust. The total investment in those areas is $3B.
Additionally, the main access road to the Parfaite Housing Scheme has works scheduled to the cost of $400M.