-warns against scammers

IN light of ongoing concerns about illegal practices related to land acquisition, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Guyanese citizen can legally obtain their own home. Despite a persistent trend of some individuals resorting to illegal methods, Minister Rodrigues assured the public that the government is working tirelessly to facilitate legitimate house lot allocations.

Speaking exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Rodrigues highlighted the Ministry of Housing and Water’s (MoH&W) continuous efforts to combat fraud and streamline the process for acquiring house lots. The minister acknowledged the ongoing issue of scammers who exploit the system by collecting money under false pretenses from unsuspecting members of the public.

Minister Rodrigues pointed out that government officials are well aware of these fraudulent activities and have implemented secure systems to protect citizens. She noted a prevailing culture where some people feel compelled to pay bribes to obtain services, a practice the ministry is striving to eliminate.

“Every opportunity that we get to speak with the public, we urge them to conduct and transact all of their businesses through the Ministry of Housing, the Central Housing and Planning Authority on Brickdam, or at the Ministry’s regional offices, where we have our regional officers,” Minister Rodrigues advised.

To enhance transparency and efficiency, the ministry has automated many of its processes. Recently, the single window application system was introduced, allowing individuals to apply for construction permits and other services online. Payments can be made via MMG or at the Housing Ministry, enabling applicants to avoid direct interaction and potential exploitation.

Addressing concerns about delays, Minister Rodrigues explained that the ministry was currently processing applications from 2019 and earlier. She urged the public to be patient and assured them that the goal is to allocate house lots to every eligible Guyanese.

“People are still coming into our head office or going on social media and saying that some people would have gotten through with their house lots before them even though they applied before. I understand that in some cases, for one reason or another, that may be the case; however, I want to assure the public that we are addressing all applications from 2019 and prior,” Minister Rodrigues said.

To mitigate these concerns, an electronic platform has been launched, allowing applicants to submit their information without direct interaction. This platform ensures that all qualifying applications are automatically processed and considered for allocation.

Minister Rodrigues also disclosed that out of the 600 individuals who have visited the platform since its debut, those who met the requirements have been selected for house lot allocations at Building Expo 2024.

In her concluding remarks, Minister Rodrigues urged Guyanese to exercise caution and avoid engaging with individuals claiming to be connected to the Ministry of Housing. The government has made significant efforts to eliminate corruption by streamlining procedures and implementing technology, reducing the need for direct interaction in financial matters.

Minister Rodrigues appealed to anyone considering bribery to acquire land to refrain from such actions, emphasising that legitimate transactions through the ministry were the only way to ensure guaranteed land ownership after payment.