Lands previously owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in the villages of Mon Repos, Annandale, Vigilance, La Bonne Intention (LBI), and Foulis are to be developed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).
According to a Department of Public Information report, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood, made this disclosure.
The National Assembly had approved $700M for the development of house lots countrywide and approximately 2,300 lots are to be developed on the East Coast of Demerara.
“I recall saying at the public day meetings and the outreaches that we were awaiting land from GuySuCo under NICIL [National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited],” the minister was quoted as saying at a recent meeting in the community of Victoria.
She, however, made it clear that the availability of these plots for allocation is pending the development of lands and placement of necessary infrastructure in these areas.
“We have to clear the land; settle it. We’d have to fill the canals, put roads and drains, water, light, then we can allocate it to you to build.”
The minister was at the time explaining to residents from Victoria and surrounding villages who raised concerns about their challenges to acquire house lots. She assured that efforts are being undertaken to address this issue and advised that “while you await your [houselot] allocation, save your money.”
Similar concerns were raised at another engagement held in Golden Grove, with Minister within with the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson. Minister Ferguson, at that time, also requested residents’ patience as the government is pushing ahead in ensuring lands are available to supply those in need.
Since the allocation has been made for land development, she noted, it will take some time before lands are available. More importantly, she highlighted, there is a backlog of over 40,000 applications which need to be addressed; nevertheless, every complaint will be dealt with regarding house lot applications.
