During an end-of-year press conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, addressed a pressing concern. Of the 30,000 house lots awarded for 2023, almost 10,000 allottees are patiently awaiting access to their designated lands.
Minister Croal acknowledged the complexity of the issue, citing the backlog of applications within the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). This backlog he said, often results in the allocation of lands before the completion of development, creating a significant hurdle for those eagerly waiting to step onto their properties.
“Of the 30,000 that we speak about, about 20,000 of those would have been able to access or see their land,” he said. He further highlighted specific areas, such as the Grove Diamond region on the East Bank of Demerara, where residents are on the verge of gaining access by month-end.
Despite the challenges, Croal revealed that the government has invested over $102 billion in the housing sector between 2021 and 2023, with a focus on infrastructural development. Minister Croal reiterated the commitment to the housing sector, aiming to allocate a total of 50,000 house lots by 2025. This year alone, an additional 10,000 house lots are slated for allocation.
To ensure accessibility to housing schemes, the Housing Ministry plans to inject an additional $22 billion into the development of road networks, particularly in Regions Three and Four. Minister Croal detailed the progress on highways, emphasizing completed projects and ongoing initiatives with a combined investment exceeding $47.4 billion.
As the sector grapples with the task of accommodating a growing demand for land, Minister Croal concluded the press conference with a resolute stance. He reassured the public that despite the current challenges and delays, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing housing solutions.
He said the government’s journey continues, with plans to navigate through obstacles and fulfill the ambitious target of 50,000 allocated house lots by 2025, which is a testament to the enduring efforts in addressing the nation’s housing needs.
