“Berbice on the rise” – Housing Minister

…as Hampshire residents receive agreements of sale for house lots

The Housing and Water Ministry, through its Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Monday processed Agreements of Sale for the 72 remaining low-income homes allocated to residents of Hampshire, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Last June, the Ministry had handed over keys to 28 of the 100 homes in the Hampshire Housing Scheme to their respective families; and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal had expressed the Ministry’s intention to complete the transactions for all 100 homes, and increase occupancy as the construction of an additional 50 homes is in the works.

Croal, alongside CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sherwyn Greaves and Regional Chairman David Armogan, facilitated Monday’s exercise at the premises of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC).
Each allocated home measures 600 square feet(20ft by 30ft) and includes two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and sanitary facilities.
In addition to receiving their Agreements of Sale, allottees also had the opportunity to meet with their respective banks to discuss payment and mortgage arrangements.
In May, Croal had announced plans to construct 50 more homes in Hampshire, each costing $7 million, with the buildings expected to have a different design directed towards middle-income earners. This is in contrast with the low-income houses the Ministry has been constructing for $5.5 million each.
With the region seeing significant transformation, the Minister announced further plans to transform Palmyra into a city, with locations already identified for the construction of hospital and mall facilities.

“Berbice is on the rise. Growth will happen here at such a rapid pace that if you don’t get on board, you will be left behind,” Croal said.
The next phase of development for Palmyra will focus on the construction of homes for young professionals, commercial lots, and a regional airstrip.
In a $10 billion investment, the Government had earlier this year indicated plans to construct 700 homes at Palmyra, divided between young professionals, moderate income and low-income earners. This adds to the Ministry’s extensive agenda to construct 1200 homes and open up some 6000 jobs in the construction sector this year.

Construction of the initial 100 homes in Hampshire had already given direct employment to over 400 persons.
Further, the Minister revealed that, by 2025, the entire coastland is expected to have access to treated water. Construction of seven treatment plants are in progress, with plans to tender another 12 soon.
While a massive well has been drilled at Chesney, construction has already commenced on the Port Mourant treatment plant, with it currently meeting the 30 per cent completion mark.