IN a concerted effort to enhance housing accessibility and support home construction projects, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, led a delegation to Bartica in Region Seven, where hundreds of residents received land titles, house lots, and housing subsidy vouchers for building materials.

This initiative, spearheaded by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, aims to facilitate Guyanese citizens in realising their dream of homeownership, whether on private or government-allocated land.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Croal expressed that their visit to Bartica was part of their outreach efforts taking place in multiple regions nationwide.

Reportedly, a total of over three hundred residents received sand and cement as part of a distribution initiative. Additionally, a visit was made to assess the progress of the government’s development project in the “Five Mile Bartica Phase Two” housing area.

“The aim of the visit to Bartica, like our other visits across Guyana, is to ensure that we meet with the residents of the respective communities, listen to their concerns, and, of course, discuss the development that is happening in their areas. I am pleased to say that my team and I accomplished all that we were hoping to on our visit to Region Seven,” Minister Croal explained.

Additionally, he said, “we distributed vouchers for steel and cement where housing subsidies were given to eligible landowners. I also want to remind the public that this subsidy initiative was started by His Excellency President Ali to help Guyanese who want to build their homes on private or government-allocated land by giving them support in the form of building materials.”

Minister Croal went on to say that, in addition to talking with the locals about housing concerns, he also had discussions with some contractors about building some turnkey homes in the area, another commitment by President Ali.

“The President had committed that we needed to construct some houses in Bartica, so we also had an engagement with some potential contractors so that we could have a smooth process while moving in that regard. We had an initial expression of interest, but the prices were coming in a bit too high, and we are trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

So, we have engaged with the initial contractors and some new contractors, and then we will be doing a second round of expressions just to see how we can break down the cost,” he added.
He continued by saying that he and his group had evaluated the ongoing infrastructure construction at the recently constructed homes at Tracts “CHPA” and “CHPA Extension.” The two recently purchased blocks of land totalling 99 acres and are anticipated to produce approximately 300 lots.

Moreover, he mentioned that the current infrastructure endeavours comprise land clearance, the construction of access roads to facilitate allottee movement, and the installation of drainage networks. The minister further stated that, in accordance with future strategic plans, the programme will establish direct connections with the Bartica/Potaro Road and the upcoming Aruwai-Teperu Road. The Housing Ministry’s primary objective is to establish connectivity with current housing developments.

“Key features of the scheme encompass a community service hub to complement the residential zone and strategic interspersed residential/commercial lots to address immediate economic needs and services for allottees.”
According to his report, the plan additionally encompasses provisions for commercial plots, playgrounds, parks, public open spaces, and places of worship.

According to Jemima Glasgow, one of the recipients who received the subsidy, “as a recipient of this subsidy, I thank Mr. President Irfaan Ali for ensuring Bartica was not left out. The fulfillment of promises persists, and during this morning’s address by Honourable Minister Colin Croal from the Ministry of Housing and Water, it became evident that there are further developments to anticipate, particularly regarding the provision of water at Five Miles and Phase 2. Barticians welcome this initiative.”