New head office for Housing Ministry as momentum to deliver rises

Housing Minister Collin Croal has announced that construction will start this year for a new head office, having outgrown their current location and amid an increased momentum to deliver Government’s promises.
The Minister shared at an event on Friday that his team has no intention of slowing down.
“Our staff has been growing and that is why we have outgrown our location. That is why, this year, works will commence on the construction of our new head office. The Ministry does not intend to let up on this momentum we have now. We are on an express train.”

Croal added, “This year, we have strategised even more on how we can improve on our performance as a Ministry and as an agency in implementing our projects because you realise the project team, every day their mandate is increasing.”
The Ministry’s drive to deliver to the people is reflected in their budgetary allocation for 2023, which has increased massively when compared to 2022.
Croal drew focus on this as he said, “Our sector has seen an increase by 243 per cent for this year from over 2021. That has been incremental. Last year, we had a 119 per cent increase in allocation. This represents about $40.2 billion increase in the annual allocations and more work.” Government had signalled that this year would see, among other things, a major shift to community building and improving infrastructure, which includes massive spending on community roads and drainage systems.
Of the $72.2 billion allocated for the housing and water sectors, $54.5 billion was set aside for housing development in new and existing areas across the country
Since taking office in 2020, the Government has allocated over 20,000 house lots in new and existing housing schemes across Guyana. Additionally, more land will be acquired for new housing areas across the country.
The Government, he added, is committed to ensuring that every Guyanese family would realise their aspirations of becoming a homeowner. In pursuit of this, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has taken the approach to open up new lands, put the requisite infrastructure in place, accelerate the allocation process, support those who require prebuilt homes, and provide easy access to finance.
In 2022, $28.2 billion was expended on the continuation of infrastructural works in new housing areas across the country including Onderneeming, Charity, Leonora, Cummings Lodge, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Non Pareil, Enterprise, Experiment, Williamsburg, Lethem and Linden, realising 10,430 serviced lots.
In recognition of the circumstances of deserving cases, the Government has created an innovative homeownership mechanism to facilitate access for all citizens. (G12)