Over 110 new housing areas established, 60% complete – Croal

Housing Minister Collin Croal has announced that over the past five years, the Government has commenced development in more than 110 new housing areas across the country, with approximately 60 per cent of them already completed.
Speaking on the Starting Point Podcast, Minister Croal highlighted the administration’s continued progress in housing and infrastructure development, particularly along the East Bank Highway and in the emerging Silica City.
“In five years, we commenced over 110 new housing areas across all regions. We have not completed all of them in terms of infrastructure – some are ongoing – but we’ve completed about 60 per cent,” Minister Croal explained.
He added that several East Coast areas are nearing completion, with allottees expected to begin accessing their lands within the coming months.
While it remains difficult to estimate how many new developments can be expected, Croal said the Ministry continues to collaborate with agencies such as the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited), and the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) in Region Five to acquire additional lands for future housing projects.

The Minister emphasised that these efforts form part of the Government’s broader commitment to clearing the housing application backlog, which still numbers in the thousands and continues to grow as new applications are submitted daily.
“In all, within six years, we’ve started over 110 new areas, many nearing completion. As for what’s next, it’s hard to give a definite number since we’re working with multiple agencies to secure more lands,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Croal said major development continues at Silica City and along the East Bank Highway. He revealed that a new highway plan will soon be implemented to curb unregulated growth and address illegal land occupation.
“We’re on target with massive development at Silica City and along the highway. That’s why we’re unveiling a highway plan – because what’s happening now cannot continue. There are cases of persons occupying lands, even those leased or used for farming. We’re now consolidating those communities,” the Minister added.