$10M in steel, cement subsidies distributed in Region 6

Some $10 million worth of steel and cement subsidy vouchers were on Wednesday distributed to 130 persons in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to commence construction of their homes.
Of the 130 vouchers distributed on Wednesday, 90 were distributed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Office and the others were distributed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, along with officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), when they visited Bush Lot Farm, Wellington Park, and Eversham.
Croal explained that the Government recognised its commitment and mandate to assist with home ownership. Hence, much attention is being paid on the housing and water sector.
The subsidy is an initiative of President Dr Irfaan Ali to provide support to home builders.

According to Croal, it is the administration’s intention to push the drive and have persons commence the process of construction of their houses.
“When you go around in many communities, you see vacant lots; in our new housing schemes, we allocate and then persons have not built and this is one way we are pushing the housing initiative,” Croal explained.
To date, 1144 persons have been issued vouchers for either cement or steel.  In Region Six more than 270 such vouchers have been issued to date.
The PPP Administration, in its manifesto, had promised to make available 10,000 house lots annually during its five-year term in office. Minister Croal said the steel and cement subsidy and the building of houses were additions to what was promised in the Party’s manifesto before it took office.
Some 200 houses have been constructed in the Region since the Party took office. This, according to Minister Croal, injected $11.3 billion into the region for the construction of houses.
“That means creation of employment, purchase of materials for the construction and spin-off benefits for persons in the transportation sector and for those selling refreshments in areas where the houses are being built. Our net venture moves to Palmyra where we will be commencing the construction of houses for young professionals,” he explained.
At Palmyra, $1.2 billion is being spent on infrastructural development. However, at the regional level, the Housing Ministry has spent $25.4 billion on infrastructural development since taking office in 2020. Of that figure, $14 billion was spent to open up new housing areas at Numbers 75, 76 and 79 housing schemes along with schemes at Hampshire, Ordinance, and Palmyra.
However, Croal noted that in Region Six, it was not enough, as there were about 5000 pending applications for house lots. Currently, land for house lot development close to New Amsterdam where the highest demand is, is not available in the Region. Minister Croal explained that with the high demand for agricultural land, getting new lands for house lot development is challenging in Region Six.
Meanwhile, a new housing scheme is to come on stream at Moleson Creek. The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is currently doing preparatory work.