In today’s session of the National Assembly, Guyana’s Ministers of Housing staunchly denied that its policies are causing difficulties for locals as the opposition championed a motion for the establishment of a Special Select Committee to review various aspects its operations, including charges for house lots.
Opposition Parliamentarian, Annette Ferguson passionately advocated for the motion, emphasizing its importance in addressing challenges within the housing sector and facilitating targeted remedial actions. She stressed the need for quality assurance in housing construction to ensure that citizens receive durable and secure homes, especially considering the financial burdens associated with home loans.
However, the government, led by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, contested the motion, stating, “There is a lack of evidence supporting the assertion that our ministry’s policies are responsible for financial constraints.” He highlighted the comprehensive efforts undertaken by the government in housing development, encompassing infrastructure projects such as road construction, bridges, water distribution, electrical networks, and land preparation in both new and existing housing areas.
Additionally, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, asserted that Guyanese face no financial barriers in accessing mortgages to construct their homes.
“When you read the annual reports of these banks, they (the banks) credited the government’s policies for making it possible and easy for people to access housing loans,” she noted.
She also emphasized that this is a direct outcome of the government’s deliberate housing policies and programmes aimed at enhancing the well-being of Guyanese citizens while bolstering their financial standing.
Minister Rodrigues also criticized the focus of the opposition’s presentation on personal attacks against PPP/C individuals rather than addressing the basis of their motion. She highlighted too, the inaccuracy of claims made in the motion, such as there being a 20 percent equity requirement for accessing mortgages. Furthermore, Minister Rodrigues clarified that recent policy changes have eliminated such constraints, facilitating access for low and moderate-income earners.
In addition, Minister Rodrigues emphasized Guyana’s comparatively low interest rates globally, attributing the decline in interest rates over the past three and a half years to the PPP/C Administration’s strategic interventions. She reiterated the government’s commitment to championing the people’s interests, both in government and opposition, reflecting in their work and track record. The opposition’s motion was subsequently thrown out.
