… no consultation with Board before announcement, to examine financial implications – Chairman
The Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), headed by former Mayor Hamilton Green, has cancelled a special payment plan advertised in March by Minister within the Ministry of Communities
CH&PA Board Chairman Hamilton Green
Valerie Sharpe-Patterson.
Sharpe-Patterson had announced the special payment plan for this month for persons who are beneficiaries of Government house lots in residential areas that are priced at $3 million and below.
The deal was that persons, who had completed paying at least 50 per cent of the cost of their house lots by May 1, would be given a 50 per cent discount on the balance.
The balance, she had explained, should, however, be paid by the end of May. The deal was part of Government’s move to give back to citizens, all in celebration of the country’s 50th anniversary.
While it is unclear how many persons have so far benefited from this deal, Guyana Times was informed that the Board has recently cancelled the offer.
Contacted on the issue, Green confirmed that the deal was off. He said that there were some lapses in the arrangement, including the fact that the Minister failed to consult with the Board before making the announcement. He said the Board was now examining the deal, giving consideration to all possible financial implications.
Guyana Times was unable to contact Sharpe-Patterson for a comment on the matter.
With the announcement of the deal almost two months back, many Guyanese had jumped on the opportunity. The offices of the CH&PA were immediately flocked with house lot owners, since the payment plan took effect from the very day the deal was announced.
The payment plan was also applicable to the beneficiaries of turnkey homes, in terms of the cost of the house lot, not the homes, it was explained. A house lot for a turnkey home costs $500,000.
Also in commemoration of Guyana’s 50th anniversary, the CH&PA had promised to give 50 persons $300,000 as a subsidy. The beneficiaries of the grants were required to be living within one of the Government’s housing schemes, and the subsidy was to be used to carry out home repairs.
