600 GDF ranks get pre-qualified for housing loans, steel and cement assistance

The Housing Ministry on Wednesday held an exercise at Base Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown, and it resulted in some 600 ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and other agencies benefitting from pre-qualified loans as well as the steel and cement assistance as part of a push to have them become homeowners.

This outreach exercise was in keeping with a promise made last week by Commander in Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali. The housing drive saw four commercial banks – Demerara Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), New Building Society (NBS), and Citizens Bank – being present to pre-qualify GDF ranks for loans to build their homes.
According to the Housing Ministry, documentation for approximately 150 ranks was processed throughout the day by the various banks. Moreover, another 500-plus ranks benefitted from the different services offered by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), including the processing of new housing applications and on-the-spot interviews.
Other ranks who have already been allocated house lots were registered for steel and cement assistance during their home construction.
Among those 600 ranks who benefitted from this exercise were officers of the Guyana Fire Service.

During brief remarks, Housing Minister Collin Croal underscored the importance of home ownership as he highlighted the various initiatives that were implemented by Government to guarantee that people can obtain financing to construct or pay for their homes easily.
“This is how we operate as a Government – to ensure that we work with all possible institutions so that we can encourage each one of you to have your own home and to have your own environment. Because when you are concentrating on protecting the state, you have a secured environment for your children and family. That is what we all strive to ensure…to have betterment for ourselves and our families,” the Housing Minister posited.

Secure future
Meanwhile, Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, has stated that the course of the lives of many ranks would be altered by Wednesday’s housing outreach, laying the foundation for them to have a secure future.

“Since [President Ali] has made a commitment to modernising the Guyana Defence Force, the step in accomplishing this goal is to ensure that you and your loved ones are cared for while you selflessly serve. The opportunity to own your own homes will benefit you in many ways,” the Head of the GDF stated.
Moreover, the GDF ranks were grateful to have benefitted from this exercise. In fact, Sergeant Sheneeza Gordon expressed her excitement at finally being able to become a homeowner, having waited for over a decade.
“I am quite excited, because I would have applied a very long time. This comes like an opportunity for me after waiting for so long. So, I’m gonna use this opportunity today to get my land,” the single mother of two related.
Another female officer, Second Lieutenant Crystal Crawford, lauded the initiative as she cited the importance of home ownership.
“This is a great initiative of the Ministry and the Government coming to us to give us that opportunity to own your own land and homes… Kudos to the Government,” she declared.
First-time applicant, GDF Sergeant Deoraj Sooklall, related that, “It’s a good initiative for the soldiers in the Guyana Defence Force. For me, this is my first time applying. Actually, it’s the first time I’m getting the opportunity [to apply], because since I’ve been working, I’m out of town most of the time.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Fire Officer (acting) Dwayne Scotland, who got his acknowledgement letter a while ago, used the opportunity to finally secure his house lot. He was there with many other ranks who shared a similar situation.
“There are a lot of them who would have received this same letter but did not get a piece of land as yet. Some of them are awaiting loans and have a difficulty with that. So, this [exercise] will definitely assist them in a positive way [in speeding up the process]”, he said.
“Now I feel that the Government is looking out for its people. So, this makes you feel welcomed and feel appreciated,” Scotland posited, while calling for a similar initiative to target the Fire Service specifically.
During the housing outreach, several booths were established to cater for first-time applicants, applicants already being processed, title applications, as well as persons interested in benefitting from the Government’s steel and cement distribution drive as part of its support for new home builders, as well as other relevant queries.
Wednesday’s exercise was the realisation of a promise made by President Ali to make the process of home ownership easier for members of the disciplined services. Last week, the Commander-in-Chief announced a number so measures which would make home ownership easier for ranks, these include on-the-spot approval for residential mortgages, with reduced interest rates and free cement and steel for those starting home construction. (G8)