On Friday, approximately 500 families on the West Bank of Demerara had their long-awaited dreams of land ownership come true, as the government conducted a significant house lot distribution exercise in Wales.
The event, dubbed “Dream Realised,” was spearheaded by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues at the ministry’s regional office in Pouderoyen.
This distribution marks a key milestone in the government’s ambitious housing plan, which aims to deliver 10,000 house lots by the end of this year and 50,000 by 2025. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address housing needs across the country.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke with several residents who expressed their deep appreciation for the opportunity to own a piece of land. Among them was Delissa Neblett, a mother of two, who shared her gratitude with DPI. “I’m so lucky to have gotten through today. I’ve been renting for five years, and renting can be a significant expense, especially for a mother of two. I’m very thankful and feel privileged today,” Neblett said.
With available land, the ministry is processing applications up to the year 2022. Over $6 billion in contracts have been issued for land clearing and the initial phase of infrastructure development at Wales. Minister Croal assured recipients that they will be able to identify their plots by the first quarter of 2025.
The minister highlighted the broader vision for Wales, noting that the area is planned to become a commercial and industrial hub, which will not only enhance economic opportunities but also create jobs. “When you look at macro plans for Wales, it will be a hub, even a commercial industrial hub, that can also create employment opportunities,” Croal emphasized.
In addition to the housing project, work is advancing on the gas-to-energy project in the Wales Development Zone. This initiative is expected to halve electricity costs and provide both economic relief and job opportunities for residents. The project also aims to ensure that 90 percent of the community will have access to treated potable water and a community well.
Minister Rodrigues underscored the significance of these efforts in improving the lives of families and securing a brighter future for Guyana. “That’s what we want for future generations—to be better off than we are. And I am extremely happy to be in a ministry that provides people with the opportunity to achieve that,” Rodrigues stated.
The “Dream Realised” distribution represents a critical step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to enhancing housing and living conditions for its citizens.
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