Solar water systems in hinterland housing development plans
HINTERLAND communities will continue to benefit from improved access to critical services, through the strategic plan being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Water, Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Irfaan Ali has assured. He said there are numerous benefits to be derived from the housing and water projects being executed in those locations, including fostering greater integration within, as well as encouraging collaboration and cooperation among the residents.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Tuesday, he reaffirmed his commitment to implementing schemes that will see the provision of better levels of service, critical infrastructure, social necessities and important components which would ensure improved livelihood in targeted areas.
“After the last Toshaos Conference, we have decided on a strategic agenda for the hinterland communities. One of the major issues was that of expanding the housing programme to the level we have on the coast. Also critical is not only the provision of water but looking at improved access to and extension of it and sustainability of the service,” Ali explained.
Alluding to the expansion, the Minister noted that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has embarked on a hinterland housing scheme to provide affordable homes to persons living in the various parts.
Towards that objective, the Ministry of Housing and Water is set to establish a project for 200 families under the second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS2).

CORE HOMES
How that will be realised, Ali stated: “Under the LIS2, we had started a process of developing core homes in communities, with the aim of,  first of all, advancing the suggestion that came from the people and giving them the opportunity to benefit from community planning.
“This year, we are hoping to implement this and expand it to at least eight pilot communities. In addition, we are going to be focusing on some of the larger hinterland communities.”
Minister Ali spoke of collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in advancing the community development plans for the identified areas, which are intended to fit into a macro development plan.
Addressing the critical task of improving access to water in those places, he disclosed that another strategic aim of the Administration is to install a solar driven water system in every single community.
Ali disclosed: “We have completed 60 such systems in partnership with the Japanese Government and there are approximately 130 communities in which these have to be installed. It is our target, over the next three to five years, to ensure that every community has access to a solar powered water system.”