–become active participants in Guyana’s growing construction

RESIDENTS of De Kinderen and Den Amstel, Region Three, were engaged, on Sunday afternoon, on the Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP), an initiative conceptualised by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali to provide employment opportunities for vulnerable populations.
This project offers beneficiaries the opportunity to produce blocks for contractors building homes under the national housing drive.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, led the consultation, alongside Mrs. Donell Bess-Bascom, Deputy Director of Community Development at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
According to information from the Ministry of Housing and Water, Minister Croal emphasised that the project provides valuable training opportunities, allowing participants to enhance their skillsets. These are the first two communities from the region engaged on the initiative.
With over 8,000 house lot allocations in Region Three over the past four years, Minister Croal noted the increasing demand for home construction. He encouraged those present to seize these opportunities also.

The two groups are expected to begin training provided by the ministry before the end of the month. Minister Croal indicated that the initial production target is at least 1,800 blocks per group, the average amount needed to construct a low-income home.
He also encouraged the groups to maintain discipline and consistency throughout the project.

CESP is focused on several vulnerable groups and communities, including Tiger Bay, Albouystown, East and West Ruimveldt, Agricola, Mocha, Lusignan, Buxton, Victoria, Leopold Street, North Ruimveldt, and Sophia (Region Four); as well as Canje (Region Six) and Linden (Region 10).
To date, CESP has employed over 100 individuals. Start-up packages have been distributed to the Guyana Society for the Blind, North Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, S.B Building Supplies and Construction in Victoria, ECD, and Leopold Inc. on Leopold Street.
Additionally, a range of training programmes in areas such as life skills, financial management, record keeping, entrepreneurial awareness, leadership skills, and block-making have been extended to various persons.

A recent Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Guyana Prison Service for the production of 500,000 concrete blocks.
The CH&PA has established partnerships with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, contractors, the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, and the Small Business Bureau to further the project’s goals.