By Ariana Gordon

SIGNIFICANT sums have been injected into the Housing, Water and Sanitation sectors, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced on Friday. In the Water sector, Government has allocated a total of $11.6B with the aim of ensuring access to potable water across the country.$4B have been allocated to improve and expand access to water across Guyana, with specific areas being targeted for water supply and line distribution improvements and expansions, namely: Paramakatoi; Mahdia; Mabaruma; Port Kaituma; Hubu to Naamless; Waiakabra; Yarrowkabra; Area ‘C’, Golden Grove; Victoria; Lusignan; Le Ressouvenir; Vryheid’s Lust; Albouystown; West La Penitence; Baramita; Parakees; Canal Bank; Belladrum; Lovely Lass; Itaballi and Tiger Pond.

“Over 18,000 persons are expected to benefit from these improvements, while another 11,000 persons will benefit from the rehabilitation of water treatment plants at Cotton Tree and Bartica,” said Minister Jordan during his maiden full year budget presentation before the House.

Over 18,000 persons are expected to benefit from these improvements, while an additional 11,000 persons will benefit from the rehabilitation of water treatment plants at Cotton Tree and Bartica.

Additionally, Vergenoegen and Lima Sands have been earmarked for new wells, and a ground storage facility is to be installed in Sophia.

“We have allocated $2.0 billion for the drilling of new wells at Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor. Further, a programme costing $5.6 billion is being designed that will see new water treatment plants constructed at Friendship, Hope Estate, Bush Lot, Leguan, Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and other locations in Regions 2 and 6,” the Finance Minister said.

He also disclosed that the National Water Council, the Non- Revenue Water Reduction Programme and the Dakoura Creek Watershed Protection Plan are to be resuscitated. He said these, coupled with the identified initiatives, will be Government’s drive to increase and improve its national water delivery coverage.

Last year, $1.6B were expended to expand and rehabilitate the water supply and distribution systems across the country. More than 1,200 residents benefited from potable water in the communities of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara; Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam; and Friendship.

HOUSING
In the Housing Sector, Minister Jordan announced that $644M will be spent to expand the Hinterland Housing Project. That project will provide housing subsidy for the construction of houses and the replacement of roofs in Regions 1 and 9.

The installation of electricity and the provision of potable water will be continued in existing housing schemes, along with continued infrastructural works.

“New housing developments will commence in areas such as Perseverance, Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward,” the Finance Minister added.

An additional $4.2B have been earmarked by the Government to assist in developing Mahdia, Lethem, Mabaruma and Bartica, the four communities identified to be townships. “This investment will realize the decentralization of key Government systems into these communities, as well as provide for the establishment and upgrading of critical infrastructure.

“The Government stands steadfast in its pledge to make these imminent towns thriving economic centres,” Jordan told the National Assembly.

Last year, Government spent $1.9B on infrastructural improvements to housing schemes. Some 74 turn-key homes were built, and 4,000 land titles were distributed. “The high rate of possession of these turn-key homes and lots indicates that new home owners are eager to realize their dream of home ownership,” he declared.

As such, Government will “forge ahead with its programme of establishing cohesive communities” where serviced lots, other social infrastructure, and amenities including parks and recreational facilities, along with “green spaces”, will be provided to ensure “an improved quality of life,” Minister Jordan said.

SANITATION
Following its injection of $300M last year for the Georgetown Restoration Programme, Government has, this year, allocated a further $200M for the programme, while an additional $319M will be expended on the Solid Waste Management Programme.

“This year, we expect to finalise the National Solid Waste Management Strategy; establish an inventory of all future landfill sites; and construct a sanitary landfill site in Bartica, which will bring much-needed relief for residents of this community,” said Minister Jordan.

Upon taking office in May 2015, the APNU-AFC coalition Government “heralded the rebirth of ‘my clean space’”, said Minister Jordan, who noted that the public’s response to the efforts of the new Government was embraced.

Last year, $300M were allocated for the Georgetown Restoration Programme, which saw the transformation of several communities across the city. Since the transformation began, several recreational areas have been restored.

The Minister said, too, that apart from the aforementioned activities, it is Government’s intention to ensure that there is the execution of critical drainage and clean-up works within the local communities of the city. This will be done by community groups.

“We intend to seek financing through the UK-CIF to complete Cell 1 of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, operationalize Cell 2, and upgrade sanitation facilities in the existing six townships,” the Finance Minister has stated.