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Development Board to manage Lethem economic growth, expansion
THE Government is continuing in its efforts to implement an integrated approach to the management of growth and expansion in Lethem, as it is fast becoming an important development area in Guyana. Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali made this known on Thursday, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, when he reiterated the Government’s commitment towards expanding the Lethem area, which holds great potential for added economic development locally.
Alluding to initiatives for the achievement of that goal, he said: “We had a briefing with His Excellency, President (Donald) Ramotar and we have decided that we need to have an integrated way in which the development of Lethem is managed. As such, we will be having a Lethem Development Board, per se. This will have various stakeholders from the different areas which are essential for the management and overlooking the future development of Lethem.”
Ali pointed out that interest in the community, located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), has increased ten-fold over the past two years, which means that there has been a greater demand for housing and investment opportunities.
In light of this, he explained that there has been a need to re-examine requirements in the region.
“The demand is increasing tremendously and, definitely, we are looking at ways in which we could expand housing. In addition to meeting the high demands for businesses there, we will have to find new lands for the advancement of industries, as well,” Ali acknowledged.
He concurred that, in the wake of increasing expansion, a “push and pull” situation is emerging between the traditional occupiers of the area and those who settled there later, or the ‘coastlanders’, as they are referred to and he underscored the importance of finding a balance in the circumstance.
According to him, it is creating “healthy competition” for the resources in Lethem.
Continuing, Ali alluded to the many other benefits and challenges that will arise, once the road linking Georgetown to Lethem is completed.
“Could you imagine when that road comes on stream, the additional stress and demand it will create in Lethem? We need to plan for the eventuality of that road so that we do not have a mismatch of supply and demand and will be able to take on what that road will inject,” he posited.
Developing Lethem as a hinterland settlement has been, traditionally, linked to cattle rearing and other forms of agricultural activity.
The area was named after Governor Sir Gordon Lethem and developed as the Rupununi headquarters of the colonial government during the period when this country was a British colony.
THE Government is continuing in its efforts to implement an integrated approach to the management of growth and expansion in Lethem, as it is fast becoming an important development area in Guyana. Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali made this known on Thursday, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, when he reiterated the Government’s commitment towards expanding the Lethem area, which holds great potential for added economic development locally.
Alluding to initiatives for the achievement of that goal, he said: “We had a briefing with His Excellency, President (Donald) Ramotar and we have decided that we need to have an integrated way in which the development of Lethem is managed. As such, we will be having a Lethem Development Board, per se. This will have various stakeholders from the different areas which are essential for the management and overlooking the future development of Lethem.”
Ali pointed out that interest in the community, located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), has increased ten-fold over the past two years, which means that there has been a greater demand for housing and investment opportunities.
In light of this, he explained that there has been a need to re-examine requirements in the region.
“The demand is increasing tremendously and, definitely, we are looking at ways in which we could expand housing. In addition to meeting the high demands for businesses there, we will have to find new lands for the advancement of industries, as well,” Ali acknowledged.
He concurred that, in the wake of increasing expansion, a “push and pull” situation is emerging between the traditional occupiers of the area and those who settled there later, or the ‘coastlanders’, as they are referred to and he underscored the importance of finding a balance in the circumstance.
According to him, it is creating “healthy competition” for the resources in Lethem.
Continuing, Ali alluded to the many other benefits and challenges that will arise, once the road linking Georgetown to Lethem is completed.
“Could you imagine when that road comes on stream, the additional stress and demand it will create in Lethem? We need to plan for the eventuality of that road so that we do not have a mismatch of supply and demand and will be able to take on what that road will inject,” he posited.
Developing Lethem as a hinterland settlement has been, traditionally, linked to cattle rearing and other forms of agricultural activity.
The area was named after Governor Sir Gordon Lethem and developed as the Rupununi headquarters of the colonial government during the period when this country was a British colony.
