Infrastructure and housing solutions for sophia residents

– Sophia residents interact with Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme contractors

– Residents pledged to lend support

– Construction to commence in 14 days

by Ayana George

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 24, 2019

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and a number of contractors met with residents of Sophia on Thursday afternoon, at the Sophia Primary School, to discuss the way forward with the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Director of Community Development, Gladwin Charles said it is necessary to meet with and inform the residents since there will be disruption due to future constructions.

“We took advantage of the opportunity to let the residents pose their questions to the Contractors and be informed on future construction plans. This meeting will inform residents of the procedures, locations and construction which will commence in a matter of two weeks,” Charles said.

A few of the contractors interacting with the residents at the Sophia Primary School.

The gathering on Thursday afternoon at Sophia Primary School.

Residents raising their concerns as they received one on one interaction with the Project’s Engineers.

The programme is designed to improve the quality of life and facilitate community development and economic development in selected communities through the delivery of quality housing and essential infrastructure solutions.

Project Overseer and Engineer for the Project, Anthony Rajnauth, interacted with the residents to provide details of the project in the Sophia.

“The project is divided into components, where component one will deal with the delivery of houses and basic infrastructure and component two will cover the enhancement of urban road, road network and safety.”

He added that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be executing Phase One – which involves, affordable and sustainable housing through improved core house construction, consolidation of existing housing schemes, including roads, drains and streetlights.

The project which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will consist of the construction of 250 Core Homes, distribution of 2,000 subsidies, upgrading of roads to asphalt and concrete, construction of 20 culverts, construction of walkways and installation of streetlights between La Parfaite Harmony, West Coast of Demerara and from Grove to Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara to and La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara.

The engineer assured residents that members of the community would be given employment opportunities when construction commences in two weeks.

The consultation with the residents was in keeping with the IDB’s policies which require an Environmental and Social Risk Assessment to identify and manage environmental, social, health and safety impacts and risks of the programme during construction and operation in the community.

Images: Giovanni Gajie.