–funds to cater to advancement of works in new, existing areas across the country

IN 2023, the sum of $54.5 billion is budgeted for housing development in new and existing areas, including constructing roads, drains and bridges and installing utilities to meet housing demands.

This is according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who unveiled the annual fiscal plan in the National Assembly on Monday.
Areas will include Mabaruma, Oronoque, Buxton/St Joseph, Stewartville, Wakenaam, Block A and B Hope, Success, Balthyock and No. 75 Village.

Government, the Finance Minister said, will also undertake infrastructural works in regularised areas, such as Charity, Tuschen, Chateau Margot, Block SS Sophia, Belvedere and Amelia’s Ward. Additionally, more lands will be acquired for new housing areas across the country.

Further, he told the National Assembly that government in 2023 will continue to promote accelerated investment in the sector and ensure that concessions are brought to production in the shortest possible time to boost productivity.

Notably, he said an additional six quarries were recently licensed and are expected to contribute a further 400,000 tonnes in 2023.

“These additions reflect the government’s efforts to ensure construction materials rise to match demand from housing and the other infrastructure works across the country. Mr Speaker, government continues to deliver on its promise to the population by improving and expanding the water-supply systems across the country. Improved access and enhanced quality of water has positively impacted the quality of life and overall public health. In support of these investments, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has undertaken several interventions in the water sector. In this regard, the government expended $9.9 billion in 2022 and has allocated $17.7 billion in Budget 2023 to improve the water sector further,” Dr. Singh underscored.

Government, he said, continues its effort to ensure that all communities across the country will have access to potable water by 2025.

“Mr Speaker, upgrading works are currently progressing with the distribution networks along Church Street to improve service-delivery levels and water quality for over 35 per cent of the residents in Georgetown. Works have advanced on replacing old cast iron mains with new polyethylene pipes from the Shelterbelt to East Street. The replacement works are now 90 per cent completed,” he noted.

In 2023, he said $1.4 billion will be spent on further upgrading and extension of water supply systems and constructing wells in several hinterland communities of Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine.

“Government targets an increase in treated water coverage for the coastland from 52 percent currently, to 90 per cent by 2025,” Dr Singh noted. “In 2023, we will advance works on the construction of seven new water-treatment plants at Onderneeming, Parika, Wales, La Parfaite Harmonie, Caledonia, Cummings Lodge and Bachelor’s Adventure.”
Further, he said 12 existing water-treatment plants will be rehabilitated at a total cost of $13 billion.