Govt constructing core homes in Sophia

…contractors warned against substandard work
…as $136M in contracts inked

The Government through the Housing and Water Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has inked approximately $136 Million in contracts for the construction of core homes in Sophia and installation of street lights.

On Monday the contracts were signed under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP). Apart from the core homes, street lights will also be installed at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
The contracts were signed at CH&PA’s boardroom, in the presence of Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves; Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally and Director of Projects, Omar Narine.
In his charge to the contractors, Croal explained that these projects are important, particularly for the enhancement of low-income and vulnerable communities and families, as he warned then against substandard work while urging that they complete the works to the best standards.
“There are persons who are waiting to benefit from this programme, those persons have been identified already and so I want to urge you to follow all the guidelines, ensure that you engage our technical staff if you are having difficulties, and to ensure that we have a timely delivery of this project,” the Minister said.
Croal also expressed contentment at the pace of the AHUAP, noting that over the past year more than $600 million has been invested in Sophia for infrastructure upgrades, the construction of a multipurpose facility, and the disbursement of home improvement subsidies.
Approximately $1 Billion in contracts have also been signed for similar projects in La Parfaite Harmonie. As the agency continues to push the programme, he also noted that capacity building will be ongoing for the Community Development Department – Special Projects Unit, which has oversight of AHUAP.
Giving a breakdown of the contracts signed on Monday, Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally, further explained that twenty-five core homes will be constructed in Sophia under the Construction of Core Homes contract, which was awarded to AJM Enterprise. This contract consists of five lots, with five houses on each lot, at a total value of $111.8 Million, with $22.3 Million per lot.
Moreover, the contract for the Supply and Installation of Solar Integrated LED Street Lights at La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD was awarded to N. Balgobin & Sons Contracting Services for two lots. Lot One is valued $12.6 Million, while Lot Two is $12.5 Million.
AHUAP is an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme, aimed at improving the quality of life in urban and peri-urban Georgetown through better access to adequate housing and basic infrastructure for low-income populations, and through improved accessibility and mobility services.
The programme previously encompassed communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara and Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht-Door-Zee, Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the WBD.
The Ministry recently expanded the boundary to include nineteen communities on the East Coast of Demerara, stretching the boundary to Victoria. Similar works will commence in these areas, as the programme continues. (G3)