–after securing house lots at Wales Development Housing Scheme

AS part of its Dream Realised Housing Drive for 2024, the Ministry of Housing and Water distributed 1,500 house lots for the Wales Development Housing Scheme to eligible residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Many persons rejoiced since they were waiting for years to receive their house lots. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, however, explained that development of this magnitude requires careful planning so that the government could provide and deliver a better level of service to the allottees.

“Over the past three years, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, we have spent billions of dollars to develop and upgrade new and existing housing areas on the West Coast of Demerara and now on the West Bank of Demerara,” he said during the house lot allocation ceremony on Friday.

Minister Croal further emphasised that major infrastructural works were done on the West Coast of Demerara so that the residents could live and operate in a better, more advanced environment.

According to him, over $16.6 billion was spent on the development of villages such as Meten-Meer-Zorg, Leonora, and Stewartville.

“So, getting your house lots is not done in isolation, but there is a financial commitment to ensure that you have access…we had over 278 roads in Region Three, of which about 90 per cent are completed. In the last year, $5.64 billion was spent on community roads,” Croal added.

He further said that 107 two-and three-bedroom houses were finalised for residents on the West Coast of Demerara in just over a year as part of the government’s home ownership initiative.
“As part of our home ownership, not only the allocation exercise, but also the construction of houses. In a year and a half ago, we completed over 107 two and three-bedroom houses on the West Coast of Demerara, and as I speak, we have another 337 houses that are under construction within the Leonora, Edinburgh area,” Croal said.

In the upcoming weeks, the minister said that the project department will be going through the procurement process to identify contracts and construction companies to embark on the next set of houses.

Minister Croal also emphasised to the people that the return of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government to office signalled a new era for Guyanese and the people of Region Three.

Croal said: “Our President, the son of the soil, His Excellency President Irfaan Ali, committed to revitalising and reimagining the West Bank and the West Coast of Demerara. His vision included new hospitals, malls, a superhighway, the establishment of new housing areas, new schools, and a new bridge over the Demerara River…as well as the upgrading of infrastructure, which will include street lighting and our water distribution systems. I am, therefore, pleased to say that we have kept the promises of development in your region.”

He also mentioned that the first phase of work has begun on the hospital at De Kinderen, and roads are being constructed in Windsor Forest and Stewartville.

Croal also related that the construction of the new Ministry of Housing and Water office, with additional staff, is to ensure that residents of Region Three are provided with a faster, more reliable service.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, in her address, outlined that Region Three has the second highest demand for house lots across the country, with the first being Region Four.

According to her, there isn’t a better way to bring prosperity and transformation to the lives of Guyanese by giving them the ability and power to own their own homes.
“When you own your own home, you control your own life, and that is especially true for women,” Rodrigues said.

She also related that based on the government’s track record, women, men, and all other Guyanese are all empowered through home ownership.
Not having to worry about paying the rent or being thrown out by the landlord, the government’s aim of ensuring that every Guyanese owns their own home “gives the ultimate sense of security and independence, because you have the power to control your own life,” Rodrigues added.

Beneficiary, Esther Persaud said she has been beyond satisfied since she applied for the house lot since 2008.
Battling to contain her tears, Persaud told the Department of Public Information (DPI): “It means a lot to me because it is the first time, I will be owning a home.”
Another happy landowner, Bibi Rabia Khan was relieved when she received the call yesterday for her land since she applied for it in 2012.

“It is great. I have been waiting a while and the day is finally here. I’m really happy that I can start my own home and plan for the future,” Khan said.
Another beneficiary, Kortis Simon expressed, “I feel excited to know that I can provide a stable home for my family.”
Beneficiary, Cecil King said he is happy to be closer to owning his own home.

“To be here today is a good moment for me. I am excited to start building my dream home,” King expressed.
Beneficiary, Tatum Khan said: “I feel good that they finally called. It is good to get something of your own. With how the country is going now with development, this is a very good opportunity for us as a family.”