Hinterland Housing Programme: 10 Yurong Paru families receive new homes

Some Ten families hailing from Yurong Paru, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have received their brand-new homes through the Hinterland Housing Programme.
Each of the ten homes, measuring 20×25 feet, was constructed at no cost to the recipients, with the total investment amounting to some $30 million.
The project also stimulated the local economy, as materials were sourced directly from the region.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal stated that as part of the hinterland programme, another 120 houses have been allocated to various villages. Wherever possible, the building materials have been sourced locally to support village economies. To date, about 70 of the 120 houses have been handed over.
“To date, we have handed over about 70 of the 120 houses, and over the next month or two, the other 50 will be handed over. So, on those programmes for Hinterland houses in Region Nine, we have invested to date over $285 million.
He highlighted that these lands are heavily subsidised and saw it fit to remind the residents about this.

“You are not paying the true value of your land because your Government is subsidising that cost. It therefore means that another investment we are making as part of homeownership is the infrastructure work. Here in Region 9, to date, over $1.4 billion has been invested under the housing sector.”
Meanwhile, in terms of Track A development, he announced an extension of that area in Lethem, where another phase will be commissioned.
In these two locations, there will be 600 lots available.
“…we are commencing two new areas. You recall we had started an area as you enter Lethem that speaks towards Track A development. So today, we have an extension of that area. We will also be commencing another phase right here within Lethem, the new Culvert City.
Therefore, at these two locations, we have up to 600 lots available, and we are prepared for approximately 350 allocations today. If more people arrive, we will be able to accommodate more. As I said, we have up to 600 available.”
During the handing over ceremony, John Francis, the father of one home recipient said that this new house enables his son to have proper living conditions for his disabled grandson.
“I am so happy and grateful that this building is for my son cause the way that we used to see that this disabled child couldn’t have a proper home to stay but now he has a proper room and he is able to live in a comfortable room,” the father said.
The Hinterland Housing Programme will see the construction of 400 homes across Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro – Siparuni) and Nine. In Region Nine 120 homes are being built, benefitting villages such as Crash Water, Tiger Pond, Rupunau, and Shea.
Meanwhile, another recipient shared that this new house is of great importance due to the fact that she would have constantly faced turmoil due to her chronic illness.
“I am very happy and very proud to be a recipient of this house. Before, I used to suffer badly because I am not a healthy woman, and I was always sick. It’s just me and my three sons who used to live alone, and my sons don’t have wives. I thank the Government very much because, for 15 years, I have been a member of the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) and during these 15 years, I have been able to get this new building,” the recipient said.

$23M well
In addition to the housing initiative, Croal also commissioned a $23 million water supply system in Yurong Paru.
This system will improve water access in the village. Croal underscored the Government’s commitment to bridging the housing gap in hinterland regions by stating that the Government’s goal is to create thriving communities.
On that note, Jennerian Rodericks, another resident from the Yurong Paru community, revealed that this water supply system will be quite beneficial for her and her family.
“My name is Jennerian Rodericks, and my thoughts on this new water system are that I am going to benefit from it. I was never able to get water, but now I have water at my house, and I really appreciate it. I feel so happy,” said Rodericks, who takes care of her two grandchildren.
Over $70 billion has been invested in the development of Guyana’s hinterland regions since the return of the PPP/C Administration in 2020. The funds have been channeled through various Government initiatives, including the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), presidential grants, and allocations from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.