$507M contract announced for infrastructural development at ‘Poke Bridge’

The Housing and Water Ministry on Friday announced a whopping $507 million contract to develop Tract CHPA (Poke Bridge), Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The contract was awarded to R Kissoon Contracting Service and will see the construction of roads and the installation of pipe networks in the housing scheme.
The contact was announced by subject Minister Collin Croal on Friday during an exercise which saw over 200 persons signing up for their Agreement of Sale and Certificates of Title.

The Minister noted that the multi-million contract has already been invested in first-phase infrastructure works in the past two years. Moreover, a new well will also be drilled in the scheme and electrical networks will be installed.
Approximately 575 persons have been allocated lands at Tract CHPA. Early last month a number of allottees also signed up for their Agreement of Sale and titles during a similar exercise.
As part of the hinterland housing programme in Region Nine, Minister Croal also announced 100 homes (10 each) will be constructed in the following communities: Crash Water, Yakarinta, Quatata, Nappi, Shiriri, Rupunau, Parabara, Shea, Yurong Paru and Tiger Pond.
It was reported in other sections of the media that earlier in April the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) commenced the processing of Agreements of Sale for the initial 150 allottees of the Tract ‘CHPA’ Housing Scheme in Lethem.
The Minister previously stated that the process is a critical stage since it gives beneficiaries legal ownership of their land and they can now anticipate receiving their Certificate of Title, which can be used to obtain financing from banks to construct their dream homes.
The new housing development in the area was previously allocated to some 543 residents, of which, 400 have so far been able to access their land. The distribution was met with high praise from recipients.
Christopher Sahibdeen was among those who expressed happiness. “I’m so grateful to the Government for the improvement going on in Lethem, Rupununi,” he said.
Similarly, Ronaldo Eastman, a teacher at Annai Secondary School, spoke of his joy of having his own place, which will eliminate the need for hotel accommodations.
To further boost homeownership in the region, 58 residents had also received steel and cement housing subsidy vouchers and the Lethem Housing Support Project will provide 600 residents with two-bedroom homes at a cost of $3 million, with the Government contributing $1 million for each home’s construction.
These ongoing projects represent the Ministry’s investment of over $1 billion in Region Nine.