By Shamar Meusa

THE Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, has revealed that in a span of three years, more than 40 new housing areas were established, including several other initiatives that were developed through partnerships with international organizations.

The minister made these remarks recently as members of the National Assembly debated the motion to increase Guyana’s debt ceilings.

Against this backdrop, he said, that it is crucial for people to understand the impact of the collaborations that the government has embarked on, including his ministry, and he gave the example of the collaboration with the Saudi Fund for Development in the housing sector.

He said that this collaboration sees some $100 million being approved directly addressing the national housing sector, as he added that this project aims at a minimum to see across three regions the construction of over 2,500 houses in various categories.

“But more than just homes, this initiative envisions robust infrastructure support through the development of roads, essential water sewerage and electrical networks through the establishment of social facilities, so we’re not only building houses, but nurturing communities,” Croal told the assembly.

He added that the ensuring ripple effect will bolster local industries and stimulate jobs and ensure sustainable growth of the regional economies.

Meanwhile, he noted that if people are to look at the impact of the development happening in the housing sector under the current administration, they will be able to admit that this People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is interested in fast-tracking development.

To this end, he said, “The point has been made, in under three years, a minimum of 40 new areas have been developed under the PPP/C’s tenure.”

When compared to the previous APNU+AFC government, he said that in just around three years, some 24,116 houselots have been delivered to persons as compared to the 7,534 allocated under the APNU+AFC’s five-year tenure.

Added to this, he said while the PPP/C promised to deliver 50,000 houselots over their first term in office, nothing about the construction of homes was mentioned in the manifesto.

However, Croal told the National Assembly that recognising the need to fast-track homeownership and the necessity, the government also made construction a priority of the PPP/C government.

“To date in under three years, 2,154 houses [are] under construction, of which close to 1,000 are now complete and have been handed over to new beneficiaries, new homeowners who have that opportunity to start a new life in a new environment,” Croal said.

He went on to add that these are the type of development projects that loans and collaborations are funding in the country.