$13.9B in contracts signed for housing developments

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has awarded some $13.9 billion in contracts to start infrastructure works and construction of housing units in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.

Some 199 contracts were awarded today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in keeping with the Government’s plan to deliver 10,000 house lots every year for the next five years.

In his feature address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh said the move demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring the dream of homeownership is realised for Guyanese.

He called the event a significant step in transforming the lives of Guyanese and urged contractors to ensure the projects are completed in a timely manner.

“There are 10,000 people, 10,000 families who are out here who are waiting for you to complete these projects so that they can go to their plot of land, put down a fence, put down a foundation, start paying a mortgage, instead of paying the rent that they are paying today.

There are 10,000 families waiting for these areas to become reality and they’re waiting on you. You are building, you are participating, you are contributing to the building of that dream,” he said.

Minister Singh said it was under the PPP/C Government that the housing initiative started, with the development of the Diamond, Grove and Parfaite Harmonie housing schemes. He said it is in keeping with this same vision that new housing schemes are being developed.

Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, in his address, said housing remains a priority for the Government. 

“We understand that shelter is a basic human need, and we know that it is essential for a healthy, happy life. It is why we have wasted little time in doing all we can to put the housing drive right back on the track after the mess that was left us by the last APNU+AFC regime.”

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Hon. Susan Rodrigues reminded the contractors that they are not just working for the Government of Guyana, but also for the people.

“We need you to see yourselves as stakeholders in this process, you will not be executing a contract or working for the Ministry of Housing, but you’re working for the people of Guyana.”

She encouraged the contractors to view themselves as partners in the Ministry’s efforts to deliver on their mandate to the people of Guyana.

Fifty-one contractors received their contracts to start the projects and the construction of 290 homes. One hundred and ninety elevated two-bedroom homes are to be built in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara while another 100 flat, two-bedroom homes will be constructed at Prospect, East Bank Demerara.