THE Ministry of Housing–Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has commenced full operations from its new headquarters at Plantation Houston, East Bank Demerara, marking a major step in the consolidation of the agency’s services and efforts to improve efficiency and public access.
Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn, engaged management and staff at the new facility recently as operations got fully underway.
They were joined by Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Dr Martin Pertab, as the Ministry and Authority continue efforts to ensure efficient service delivery and greater comfort and convenience for members of the public conducting business at the new headquarters.
The move to Plantation Houston represents the culmination of a phased transition from the Ministry’s long-standing operations at Brickdam and other annexes in Georgetown.
Several key departments began relocating to the new headquarters in recent days, including the Community Development Department, the Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and the Human Resources Department. Services previously offered at the Camp Street Annex were also transferred to the new facility as part of the broader consolidation of operations.
The transition has also seen services relating to Certificates of Title and Transports moved to the Houston headquarters, while persons seeking assistance with informal settlements, regularisation, relocation and other community development matters are now being directed to the new location.
The modern headquarters was constructed to accommodate the CH&PA’s expanding operations and growing staff complement, while bringing departments and services closer together under one roof.
Earlier assessments of the project indicated that the facility was designed to accommodate approximately 400 staff members and provide significantly improved working conditions for employees and a more comfortable, user-friendly environment for members of the public. The building also includes extensive parking facilities, with space for more than 100 vehicles.
The relocation is expected to reduce the inconvenience previously faced by members of the public who had to visit different offices and annexes across Georgetown to access various housing and planning-related services.
The CH&PA, which was established in 1948 under the Housing Act to address the housing needs of Guyanese, remains the principal agency responsible for implementing housing and settlement development programmes and carrying out planning functions under the purview of the Ministry of Housing.
The commencement of full operations at the Plantation Houston headquarters comes as the Ministry and CH&PA continue to manage an expanding range of housing, land development, planning and community-related services amid Guyana’s rapid growth and development.
With staff now operating from the new facility, the Ministry said the focus will be on ensuring that the transition translates into improved efficiency, better coordination among departments and enhanced service delivery for the public.
