Georgetown expansion a long-term goal for Housing Ministry

—other Government Ministries to play role in project

—lengthy process for permit grants under review

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal has disclosed that an expansion project for the city of Georgetown is in the pipeline and is among his Ministry’s long-term goals.

The Minister was at the time being interviewed on Kaieteur Radio; Friday last.

According to Minister Croal, as Guyana’s Oil and Gas Sector continues to develop, the expansion of Georgetown will be necessary.

“At the Ministry level, you have the aspect of zoning; Georgetown is expected to expand further, with the advent of the Oil and Gas Sector, as well as, our improvement in our economy,” Minister Croal said.

As the Ministry embarks on this project, a multi-sector approach will be instituted and relevant agencies will play a role in the project’s success.

“We will be working in collaboration with the other Ministries to ensure we have the areas that are properly identified for housing development [and] for commercial development because the time will come when we also have to look beyond Georgetown. Those are part of the long-term vision in the Ministry’s plan.”

Further, the Minister is currently looking into the granting of permits. Time efficiency for the permission of grants is expected to improve, as the current process was found to be lagging and discouraging to prospective investors.

“We will look at the legislation, to see how we can improve because when your applications are sent to us, we also have to work with the local authorities…For example the Fire Department…sometimes you submit those documents, and you may ask for their no-objection and the relevant sub-agencies could take a while to respond,” Minister Croal explained.

He also noted that Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is expected to soon establish a new Board which will operate in a “more proficient and efficient manner” in addressing some of these issues. 

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