Construction in housing sector already employing hundreds – Croal

— Govt development agenda geared towards providing jobs

The Government’s housing programme has always been multi-fold and geared at providing 50,000 new house lots and providing employment for the masses. According to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, this is already bearing fruit in several communities.
During a broadcast programme where he shared a panel with Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, Croal gave the example of Cummings Lodge, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), where at least 400 persons have been employed in the Government’s construction and housing drive. This is despite the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve just started a number of low-income houses at Cummings Lodge. If you go there and I’m going there again tomorrow. Every single one of those houses that have started, the construction, there’s a minimum of 10 persons employed right now,” he said.
“On an average, there are 40 houses. Now there’s a total of 190 we’re building. 40 by 10 will tell you. If you [go] at the back there right now, you will find 400 persons employed in the housing sector, directly for the commencement of construction,” Minister Croal added.

He noted the spin-off effect from all of this construction on the transportation and services sector. According to the Minister, this is all part and parcel of the Government’s efforts to fulfil its promise.
“The spin-off for all of that, you have the transportation sector, whether it’s the horse carts or trucks, they are benefitting. The people selling snacks on the roadside, they’re benefitting. You saw in the news someone was able to give their success story. They’re from Sophia and now supplying blocks for one of the contractors involved. So, it amplifies itself.”
Minister Croal also noted that in under nine months, the Government has been able to distribute 3600 house lots. He also made it clear that his Ministry will be following up on last week’s visit to Essequibo, with another visit to Charity. This is in addition to the 10,000 house lots promised for the year.
“This year, as part of our commitment over the five years, you will still have 10,000 house lots before we’re finished. And the level of investment we’ve already placed in communities for their development, we’re talking about $14 billion for new infrastructure works. For over 10,000 persons to be able to take up their land allocations and to construct their own homes.”
“To aspire to grow their own families. To live in that environment, now that we’re developing the economy and making more disposable income available to them, it means they will be able to spend and enjoy a comfortable life. This is what we’re doing.”
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill noted that the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) developmental projects are geared towards making sure persons get jobs. He referenced initiatives in his own Ministry, including one that has seen hundreds of youths being hired for community projects.
“Our programmes are designed to make sure people get jobs and of course the main objective is that they own their own home. We have roadworks, sea defence works. Just in one programme, we have just hired 305 young people across Guyana who are involved in community projects in the various towns and areas. They’re going to be working every day.”
“Every time you award a contract for a road or sea defences or drainage, its employment for people. But it’s also development. Whether you build a timber bridge or concrete bridge, it’s work for people,” Minister Edghill said.