Minister Croal clarifies rumours on Mocha-Arcadia land allocations

THE Government of Guyana remains resolute in its mission to ensure that every citizen benefits from the housing development initiative, continuing its efforts to allocate house lots across the country.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, emphasised in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle that while approximately 34,000 house lots have already been allocated, the ministry is currently finalising agreements of sale for individuals in several key locations.

Minister Croal highlighted areas such as Great Diamond Block One Section One, Great Diamond Blocks Three and Five, Golden Grove Blocks Nine and 13, Cummings Lodge, La Reconnaissance, Non-Pareil Phase One, and Enterprise Phase One as focal points for the current allocations.

He also addressed inquiries from individuals allocated to Block 18 Golden Grove, assuring that engagement and agreement-signing for this area will begin by the end of the week.

“By the end of this week, we will be calling the persons who have been allocated to Block 18 Golden Grove. We will begin our engagement, and due to the voluminous work, we will begin to see them in clusters. Following our engagement and signing, we will have a showing of their land,” Minister Croal stated.

He explained that some shifting around the area was necessary due to ongoing infrastructural work, aimed at better accommodating the Block 18 allottees.

The minister further noted that while most allocations were made in 2022, some continued into 2023. With the first phase of infrastructural work completed, the ministry is now in a position to finalise agreements. Residents in these areas have been invited to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to sign their agreements.

Additionally, Minister Croal issued a stern warning against conducting business with individuals claiming to have contacts or positions within the ministry’s regional and head offices.

“Any transaction regarding payments can only be done at the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and at the Regional Offices. The only exceptions are during our dream-realised activities. Any other transaction outside these offices is illegal,” he stated.

Minister Croal also addressed rumours about land allocations at Mocha-Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara, clarifying that while there are no ongoing allocation exercises for that area, the ministry is exploring possibilities for regularising squatters in a portion of the area.

He encouraged citizens to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities related to house lot allocations. “Some people know what they are getting into, but when they are duped, they expect our help. The government and the Ministry of Housing do not operate like that,” he added.

In a recent interview, Minister Croal highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts in house lot allocations, revealing that nearly 34,000 lots have already been distributed. The upcoming Building Expo will see at least 2,000 more lots allocated. By the end of 2024, the government aims to intensify allocations to meet the target of 50,000 house lots.

For 2024, the ministry has allocated close to 4,500 house lots, with plans to allocate an additional 6,000 to achieve their annual goal. Minister Croal also mentioned that approximately 1,750 houses have been handed over, with many more in various stages of completion across Regions Three, Four, Six, Seven, and Nine.

Preparations are also underway to commence projects in Region 10.
The government’s housing initiative continues to make significant strides, ensuring that more Guyanese citizens gain access to affordable housing.