CH&PA to expand hinterland housing programme
─Village leaders commend ongoing housing initiative
─ Reg. 1 village leaders request expansion in specified areas
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, October 12, 2019
As the 13th annual National Toshaos Council wraps up a week of deliberations, Minister of Communities the Hon. Ronald Bulkan presented on the progress made thus far by his ministry and agencies.
He specifically told the Indigenous leaders gathered that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is about to expand its housing programme in three of the four hinterland regions – namely Regions 1, 7 and 9.
The minister reported there have been successful interventions in these regions and more can be expected in the coming year.
“As far as the CH&PA is concerned, it is the intention that in 2020 and beyond that we will be able to expand this programme, taking it to other communities but as we all are aware government resources is not unlimited so there is the question of priorities.”
Some Toshaos and other village leaders attending the conference commended the housing initiative of the government and opined that the vision of further expansion in the hinterland is timely, as requests for more housing development were made.
David Emmanuel of Waramuri in the Moruca Sub-Region of Barima-Waini specifically spoke about homes being constructed for persons in Haimacabra, a sister village where construction has started and which is ongoing.
“I would like to say thank you for the 13 houses that were built so far in Haimacabra and presently there is the [construction of] ten additional houses ongoing in that same area. I would like to say thank you very much.”
Also, a request was made by representatives from villages in Middle Mazaruni on behalf of residents there who need proper housing.
The Hinterland Housing Solutions initiative forms part of the CH&PA’s agenda and the agency has committed to this being a priority on its 2019 programme and onwards. It was noted that $200M was set aside in this year for houses to be constructed in Regions 7 and 8.
Meanwhile, in Region 9, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, more homes are expected to be constructed. This is being facilitated through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan granted in July 2015. This project will include a total of 12 communities and their satellites in Regions 1 and 9.
His Excellency, President David Granger at a housing event hosted earlier in the year, said his government will not overlook rural areas.
“I will not neglect hinterland areas. This programme of regionalisation is to ensure equality of access wherever you are.”