–   President Ali announces, says several residents to receive titles for the first time

SEVERAL residents who reside in a section of Mon Repos, on the East Coast Demerara will be among thousands, who will receive their certificates of title for the first time, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced
“We are going to solve a 60-year problem by having people who live in a section of Mon Repos for the first time getting titles for the lands they have been living on,” the President said at the opening ceremony of the international building expo on Thursday.
President Ali stated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government has made large housing investments since assuming office in 2020, greatly enhancing thousands of individuals’ access to shelter
“Improved housing conditions have benefitted 128,000 citizens so far,” he said.

He said that the government’s significant financial investment—more than $240 billion over the past four years—reflects its commitment to the housing industry.
The President further highlighted the decades of targeted policies implemented by successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) governments to promote affordable and sustainable housing to all Guyanese.
“Between 1992 and 2015, it is important for us to trace this segment of our history in the housing sector. In 1992, we had one of the highest debt burdens per capita in the world; our debt-to-GDP ratio was 750 per cent,” President Ali said, pointing out that Guyana has evolved to now having a development matrix which has seen the country garnering much investments.
Over the next two days, 1,730 certificates of title will be distributed during the expo.

According to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, more than 2000 house lots will also be distributed.
“By the end of this year, more than 40,000 house lots will be allocated. We will be allocating over 2,000 lots over the next two days and issuing 1,730 certificates of title,” the Minister said.
In keeping with its manifesto promise, land ownership, the minister noted, is the key hallmark of the government’s aim to support and promote wealth among Guyanese.
“The target of allocating 50,000 house lots over five years did not include in our manifesto commitment the complete houses. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. So far, we have allocated in excess of 1,700 houses, of which over 1,500 are in various stages of completion,” he disclosed.

He further revealed that new areas for housing will be identified; these include Mabaruma, Region One; Wales, Region Three, La Bonne Intention (LBI), Felicity, Chateau Margot, Haruni, Non-Pareil, Enterprise and Silica City in Region Four.
In Region Five, a new housing area was identified in the village of Waterloo while in Region Six, it is Moleson Creek and Palmyra. Bartica was identified in Region Seven and Mahdia in Region Eight.
Plantations Hope and York in Region Ten will also see the commencement of housing schemes being built out.

“Affordable housing, as we know, is a critical necessity for the people of Guyana and easier access to financing has made it a dream to owning a home a reality for 1000 of Guyanese,”
He added: “Guyanese from all walks of life, can rely on the promise of our government to provide housing and at an affordable rate.”
The International Building Expo, he said, showcases one of Guyana’s most critical economic drivers and brings together policymakers, contractors, investors, banks, insurance companies, and prospective homeowners in one space where they can have unfettered interaction, forge partnerships, and collectively shape and reimagine the future of housing across the country.

Over the next few days, the spotlight will be emerging trends and technologies, services and products within the industry as government continues to seek out new initiatives to improve the lives of Guyanese.
“We are sure to be exposed to new products and methods of construction with changing times. The new demand for housing includes the use of sustainable building materials, energy-efficient appliances and utilities and designs take into consideration the differently abled and of course, the lower income earners.”