In a bid to address the growing demand for housing in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), the Ministry of Housing and Water would return to that community on Friday to distribute approximately 1,300 house lots to local residents.
With around 4,000 legitimate applications from the region in the Ministry’s land management system, many residents have been awaiting house lots patiently.
In an interview with this publication, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal reiterated Government’s commitment to making new lands available to meet the housing needs of the region.
He disclosed that house lots would be allocated for new housing developments at Wismar and at Amelia’s Ward.
“We’re moving now to address Region 10. We have been able to get some additional lands. It’s two days of activity, but not continuous, so the first day, on Friday, will be addressing the allocation in an area within Wismar, and then the following week we’re gonna address a portion of land within Amelia’s Ward. We’re hoping to make available at least from the combination of both allocations as I said, it’s more than one day, at least to make available a possibility of at least 12 to 1300 lots,” the Minister said.
<<Guyana Times>> was told that 500 house lots have been opened up and would be allocated in Fitz Hope, Linden; and over 1,000 lots would be allocated in Wismar on later dates.
Croal explained that in addition to ensuring citizens have access to affordable housing opportunities, his ministry has been working tireless over the last two years to regularise land in several areas within the region.
“You would recall we already had an allocation exercise since we came into government in Amelia’s Ward. Then, in addition to that, addressing and the regularization of squatting for a number of areas. And even the very Amelia’s Ward we had persons who squatted on land that belongs to Central Housing and Planning Authority.
“So part of the task over the past two years was concentrated on addressing the squatting, and with these upcoming allocations, we’re looking to reduce our arrears in terms of pending applicants, and the exercise will continue as part of our national program of ensuring every region is benefitting from the Government’s housing programme. And for Region 10, it’s no dissimilar, because we also have a programme to address in constructing of houses, which we’ll speak about more…in time to come,” he added.
An occupational survey conducted in August has revealed that over 1500 housing structures are in existence in five different areas along the Soesdyke- Linden Highway. As Government continues to regularise housing along the highway, plans are in place to develop more structured communities and relocate 900 of these households. (G1)
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