No political spin can denigrate 2015-2019 achievements – Min. Bulkan

―better housing policies developed

―local democracy restored

―more access to potable water

DPI, Guyana, Friday, January 17, 2020

Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan at this year’s Local Government Staff Conference affirmed that his Ministry has made several solid achievements since its establishment in 2015.

The Minister mentioned some of the Ministry of Communities’ top 20 achievements from 2015-2019 and stated that no form of twisting can diminish these accomplishments.

“While attempts may be made by mischief-makers and misinformation masters during […] this season to peddle inaccuracies, I would say that no amount of political spinning and twisting can denigrate the solid achievements of the ministry of communities,” asserted Minister Bulkan.

Among Ministry’s top accomplishments is the historic revitalization of the local governance system through the resumption of Local Government Elections (LGE) after more than 20 years.

Since the Coalition Government’s appointment in 2015, LGE has been held twice consecutively; first in 2016 and then in 2018, thus restoring local democracy.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) which falls under the flagship of the Ministry of Communities has also recorded significant progress under the coalition government.

CH&PA developed 27 new housing schemes from 2015-2019 and the housing agency also redirected its housing policies to focus more on providing affordable housing solutions for low-income earners, government employees, and youths in communities outfitted with recreational, educational and sports facilities.

Communities such as Sophia saw major upgrades through the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

In the hinterland, the CH&PA through a collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was able to provide 270 housing subsidies and 72 roof replacement subsidies in 11 hinterland communities under the Sustainable Housing for the Hinterland Programme.

Further, in the Hinterland, the Ministry established the ‘Capital Towns’ of Mabaruma, Barima-Waini; Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni; Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni; and Lethem, Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo to enhance public delivery services in the hinterland.

The Communities Ministry, also boasts of the single largest investment in the water sector, the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Programme (WSSIP) which cost US$31.6M. The project which is expected to be completed soon will benefit more than 50,000 residents, through the construction of water treatment plants at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara; Diamond, East Bank Demerara; and Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice.