NOTHING pleases voters, taxpayers and other citizens more than a government that delivers on its promises without questioning their politics, and over the past three years and four months, the majority of Guyanese have been enjoying and acknowledging that rare feeling that has often eluded them.

As reported by the Minister of and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues, respectively, in their ministry’s 2023 year-end report, 30,406 house lots were distributed within the first three years of this administration, since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, but took office five months later in August due to efforts by known elements to derail the process.

The numbers reported by the ministers are simply staggering for a nation of 800,000.

In 2023 alone:

• 8,578 residential lots were allocated
• 53.3% (or 15,119) were allocated to young people up to 35 years old
• 43% were allocated to women (up from 40%)
• 90% of allottees were low-to-moderate income-earners
• 7,128 lots were distributed in Region Four
• 1,079 lots distributed in Region Three
• 125 lots distributed in Region Five
• 192 lots distributed in Region Six
• Out of the three-year total (30,406), 28,368 lots were residential; and
• The Ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) acquired approximately 50 new housing areas.

But that’s not all. As the government continues to pursue the PPP/Civic’s election promise of providing affordable housing for all, the two ministers also reported ongoing works to establish new housing areas in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.

The government has also consistently rolled out policies to make housing affordable for all Guyanese: Banks have reduced interest rates at mortgage institutions, thereby giving people more access to financing and affordable financing, both of which are important today, especially following COVID-19 and other global economic shocks, including supply chain problems and Ukraine War sanctions.

Among other government incentives announced by Ministers Croal and Rodrigues, the mortgage interest relief ceiling is being raised through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), paving the way for first-time home owners to benefit from tax reduction on their year-end income tax statements.

By comparison, during the period 2015-2020, the previous APNU+AFC allocated only 7,534 house lots – barely over half what this administration allocated in Region Four alone in 2023.

In fact, as the ministers also revealed, over the 23 years from 1992 to 2015, successive PPP/Civic administrations – under Presidents Dr and Mrs Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar – delivered over 100,000 lots Guyanese nationwide, irrespective of party, creed or color.

This three-year performance by this administration, under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali and accompanied by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Philips and Vice President and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, is yet another shining example of the difference between a party and alliance that believe in delivering more than promising.

It also highlights the stark difference between how the PPP/C and the PNC treat the nation’s constant need for food and shelter, as also seen in progress in growing more locally and reducing the region’s food import bill by 25% by the end of 2025.

The PPP has delivered constantly for all, every time in office since 1950; and the Civic has shared in this incomparable record all the way since 1992.

Meanwhile, here’s an interesting related recollection: In the controversial 1980 Referendum under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration, the two symbols were ‘House’ (PNC) and ‘Mouse’ (PPP). As time and history have shown, however, when it came to delivering, look who’s still helping needier Guyanese build a house – and look who is playing cat and mouse.