— with expansion of electricity, water projects, more housing schemes, other infrastructural advancements, Minister McCoy says
–dismisses Mohamed’s attempt to undermine government’s work across communities
THE government has rejected recent criticism of development along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway corridor, maintaining that major housing, electricity and water projects were already underway as part of a phased plan to improve living conditions for residents.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, on Tuesday stated that ongoing works and planned interventions demonstrate the government’s long-term commitment to communities along the corridor, despite attempts by political opponents to suggest otherwise.
McCoy, in a video message posted to his social media page, disclosed that four housing schemes are currently being pursued along the highway to regularise informal settlements and provide residents with safer, more organised communities.
He explained that many of the settlements comprise persons occupying both private and state lands; however, the government’s objective is to transition families into formal housing developments that provide security of tenure and access to essential services.
“That means order. That means planning. That means ownership documents. That means dignity,” the minister said while adding that efforts are also continuing to identify additional lands so more families can benefit from organised housing developments.
Against this backdrop, the minister also highlighted ongoing investments in electricity and water infrastructure, noting that the government’s expansion programme extends to communities including Moblissa, Banakari, Long Creek, Yarrowkabra, Samsville, Kuru Kururu and Laluni.
He said work has already commenced on the electricity substation at Kuru Kururu, while plans are also advancing to improve access to potable water through the construction of additional wells in communities such as Long Creek.
Further to this, McCoy argued that these initiatives form part of a structured national development programme that is being implemented in phases, rather than as a response to recent public criticism.
It was then that he called out the opposition leader and US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed for misrepresenting the government’s work by visiting communities after development plans had already been announced and suggesting that political pressure had prompted action.
McCoy maintained that the administration’s focus remains on delivering sustainable development through planning and investment rather than political rhetoric.
“This PPP/C government is well aware that the highway communities deserve proper housing, water and electricity which eventually lead to home ownership and security,” he said.
He added that similar development initiatives are being implemented in communities across Guyana and stressed that infrastructure expansion requires careful planning and phased implementation.
“Progress does not come from political stunts. Progress comes from planning, investment, and hard work,” McCoy said.
As such, he urged residents to judge the government’s record based on the projects currently being executed, maintaining that development along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway corridor is already in progress and will continue as additional infrastructure and housing initiatives are rolled out.
