1000 Homes Project launched at New Perseverance Scheme– substantial completion anticipated in eight months
Georgetown, GINA, June 7, 2013
President Donald Ramotar today performed the symbolic planting of the flag on a plot of land at New Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, marking the beginning of another real estate initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing to boost its already highly successful housing programme.
Within eight months, the area located directly behind the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, five miles from the capital will be substantially developed for the 1,000 homes, each at the value of $4.7M.
President Donald Ramotar speaking at the launch of the 1000 Homes Project at the New Perseverance Scheme, East Bank Demerara
It signifies the latest move in the turn key concept started by the Ministry of Housing in 2011 as a recommendation to improve the quality of life for every Guyanese. It has already been initiated at Eccles, Mon Repos, Good Hope, Zeelugt and Leonora, and is in keeping with a promise made by the Head of State in his first independence message to the nation where he promised to make home ownership easier.
Targeting the low and moderate income levels, particularly single parent headed households, the Housing Ministry has to date completed 300 of these homes in the aforementioned housing schemes.
President Donald Ramotar joins Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, representatives of the private sector and the Central Housing and Planning Authority to plant the flag to signify the launch of the New Perseverance Scheme
“Only those of us who live in rented houses for a long time, will have the appreciation of the feeling that you get, the secure feeling that you get when you have your own home … that is very important, not only for your immediate security… but it gives you (an) asset,” President Ramotar said to a gathering at the location. Among them were Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh.
The New Building Society is a key partner in the turn key homes project which commenced with a pilot of 20 homes, and has grown into such a preferred offer that aspiring home owners are going for the option.
“The turn key homes seem to have captured the imagination of a large portion of our population,” President Ramotar said.
The People’s Progressive Party Civic’s 2011 manifesto has promised 30,000 house-lots by 2016 and with the 7,940 lots made available and 4,177 titles processed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority last year, there is optimism that the target is within reach.
The progress has also been complemented by the fact that the home ownership venture has been made much easier with low interest rates on mortgages, and more options available for different categories of income earners.
“The investment that we have been putting in has been very big; last year alone the investment was some $3.36B in investment on the East Bank of Demerara, (excluding the other areas),” the President stated.
Preparatory works are expected to commence as early as today with surveying, land clearing and the completion of the tender process going simultaneously, paving the way for major infrastructure activities in the area.
This latest project adds to the major transformation being undertaken on the East Bank of Demerara where the services of health, education commerce and finance are within reach and considering the growth anticipated, expansion of the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway has become more compelling.
President Ramotar believes that with all these housing schemes in train and the concomitant congestion predicted, an alternative road from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to the capital will be needed.