Cummings Lodge has been hailed as a model of modern community development, following the transformation of 700 acres of swamp and forest lands into what is now a vibrant residential community and commercial space.
Speaking from the balcony of a young beneficiary’s home on Friday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during the first episode of ‘Tea on the Terrace’ said the government’s investments in housing developments have seen hundreds of families now owning their homes in the area, many for the first time.
This, he said, speaks directly to efforts to promote empowerment, upliftment, and dignity for all Guyanese.
“We can lose track of the real development, the real changes and the ways in which people lives are being improved every single day in this beautiful country,” he said adding, “Today, I am here in Cummings Lodge, all of this development you see around me here was not here less than five years ago, when we came into office, this entire area, covering 700 acres of land, was all swamp and forested land and there is no exaggeration in this.”
The development comprises more than 458 completed and allocated homes. Housing types include 327 two-bedroom homes, 82 three-bedroom homes, and 49 elevated three-bedroom units, representing a substantial public investment in both infrastructure and home construction.
The development is said to be transforming the lives of at least 1,600 families, when both houses and allocated house lots are taken into account.
“And what does this development translate to? It translates to empowerment. It translates into families, building stronger families. It translates into economic wealth, building wealth at a household income and it translates into creating additional net worth for our Guyanese families.”
Beyond housing, Cummins Lodge has been designed as a fully functioning community. The layout includes 16 acres of commercial land, 26 acres designated as a medical zone, and 22 acres earmarked for commercial and industrial activity.
Key public infrastructure features include a police station, a recreational facility currently under development, and approximately 16 kilometres of newly constructed roads, alongside 6.2 kilometres of upgraded roadway with reinforced concrete structures.
To support reliable access to basic services, 6.2 kilometres of water pipelines have been installed, complemented by a comprehensive street lighting network.
According to the speaker, the total expenditure to convert the area from “forested swamp” into a livable, well-serviced community exceeds $3 billion, with $19.7 million spent on the electricity network alone.
