— but under strict COVID-19 guidelines, Min. Rodrigues announces

SEVERAL key Housing and Water services which were put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak here, are now back up and running, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Ms. Susan Rodrigues announced Thursday.

Among those services which were affected, due to the many restrictions that had to be implemented in a bid to stop the deadly novel coronavirus in its tracks are: Land allocation; updates of names to applications; processing of agreement of sale and title; interviews for new applications; and all outdoor activities.
“I am pleased to announce that under strict COVID-19 safety measure guidelines, some of our services under CH&PA have resumed,” Minister Rodrigues said, adding: “These services include ranger’s patrol, residential house lot payment; surveying of lots with one person allowed on that visit; and visits for planning permission.”

She said that in an effort to ensure that all Guyanese have access to water, which is a much-needed commodity in the fight against COVID-19, all water-related services have been resumed. She also used the opportunity to areassure consumers that the ministry has no intention of going back on its promise to not carry out disconnections until further notice.

She also said that in an effort to comply with the guidelines governing social distancing, and to further promote the safety of the members of staff of the Ministry and all citizens, some additional measures have been put in place as well.
One such measure has to do with the processing of new applications, which will now be done virtually, via Zoom, as in-person interviews will only be done “in very limited circumstances”.

Minister Rodrigues further spoke to the issue of overdue land applications, reiterating her commitment to getting matters resolved in a cohesive and efficient manner. “We have inherited a backlog of land applications; lands that lack basic infrastructure, and in some cases, which are not even accessible, and an allocation system which is in need of thorough review,” she said, adding: “Nevertheless, we are committed to our mandate, and are working assiduously to address these challenges, and will resume land applications as soon as practicable.”

The Minister reminded Guyanese of the newly-elected PPP/C Government’s promise of improved quality of life, access to affordable housing, and the delivery of potable water, and stated that she will ensure will work with her team at the Ministry to see the promises of the government fulfilled.