THE Ministry of Housing and Water, through its Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), reports that the $7.7 billion infrastructural development at the new Stewartville Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, is moving apace.

A press release from the ministry said that Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen, on Thursday, met with the 14 contractors who are carrying out works in the 19 lots.
The contractors, during the engagement, were urged to expedite their respective contracts as hundreds of Guyanese are eagerly waiting to commence their home construction.

Each contractor or their representative was able to provide a status update on their lots and share the challenges they are facing. The most common issue raised is the lengthy time it takes to source construction material. The consensus is that the weather is favourable. However, the major suppliers of materials seem to be experiencing a shortage, the release added.

Minister Croal urged the contractors to do their best, noting that while some of them are behind schedule, they must deliver on their commitment.
He warned that liquidated damages can be applied if the contractors fail to deliver.

Minister Croal also used the opportunity to make a public plea to allottees to be patient, as every effort is being made to make their lands accessible.
“The ministry is working with the contractors. We have our engineers and Clerk of Works monitoring these sites daily to ensure that these works are completed because we also want to see value for our money,” Minister Croal said, according to the ministry’s press release.

Noting that these works all tie into the government’s housing drive and its mandate to deliver 50,000 house lots in their first term, he said that the distribution of lots goes hand-in-hand with infrastructural development.

The contractors working in the area include AJM Enterprise, Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. Upper West Off Builders, Bardon Contractors Srvs., S. Maraj Contracting Services, Extreme Construction Inc. A-1 Construction Chung’s Global Inc., Superior General Contracting, A. Nazier & Son Contracting and General Supplies, Y. Bhola Construction Srvs., Romcol Construction, Engineering & Maintenance Services Inc., and Roopan Ramoutar Investment.
The works being carried out include the laying of a pipe network, drainage infrastructure, and the building of culverts, access roads and bridges.