Over 3000 persons to sign sale agreements in 7 new housing areas in 2 months – Croal announces

Some 3000 new allottees have recently been called to sign their agreements of sale and begin the process of obtaining their certificates of title across multiple housing schemes. The seven areas identified include Number 75 Village, Number 76 Village, Village No. B, Lusignan Phase One, Lusignan Phase Two, Good Hope Phase Two, Vriesland, and Laurentia Catherina. This was disclosed by Housing Minister Collin Croal during an agreement-of-sale signing exercise on Monday. The signing process has already commenced, with approximately 350 persons called from Lusignan Phase One. “The staff here have commenced the signing for Lusignan Phase One. We’ve called about 350 persons today (March 2) for this area. Henceforth, that process can continue for others within the Phase One area at the Central Ministry. Two weeks ago, at Number 75 Village, we had called 150 persons,” the Minister stated. Allottees at Number 76 Village, were not left out of the progress as he reported that on February 14, some 300 persons were called.

“Then at Number 76 on the 14th of February, we called 300 persons. Over the next few weeks, we have a number of signings that will be taking place. For example, on the 7th and the 14th for Lusignan Phase Two, we have initiated the process for 500 persons who will be coming in to sign their agreements of sale as well, for the commencement of the process for their certificates of title,” he explained. Turning to other areas, Croal said that on March 5 and 12, approximately 300 persons from Good Hope Phase Two (Eastern portion) will be called to sign. Additionally, signings are scheduled for March 19, 21 and 24 at Vriesland, Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The areas of Laurentia Catherina in Wales – part of the wider Wales Development – are also included. “I want to say, though, that for the Region Three area, those within the Wales vicinity, when the process is initiated, it can continue at the respective regional offices,” the Minister noted. Croal further stated that staff members are working beyond regular hours, including Saturdays, to ensure that persons receive their house lots in a timely manner. While allocation activities are usually conducted during the workweek, several Saturdays have been scheduled to facilitate the ongoing process. He explained that this is necessary because staff members are also managing their routine weekday responsibilities and the additional weekend efforts are aimed at keeping the distribution process on track. The Minister also pointed out that a large number of persons are visiting the Ministry daily, prompting additional measures to accelerate service delivery. “They’re also dealing with members of the public who are coming in. In order to fast-track and bring quicker service to potential allottees who are waiting for their agreements of sale and to process their titles, we have added some additional days to focus on these areas. As I said, there are seven new areas coming on stream that we’ll be able to process for ownership,” he said. Meanwhile, it was announced that some 3000 persons are targeted to sign agreements in seven areas spanning Regions Six, Four and Three.
“So, within two months or two and a half months, we will have over 3000 persons signing in these seven new areas,” Croal stated. The Minister noted that significant investment has been made to make the lands accessible. “We have invested over $38.5 billion in those areas to make it accessible for persons to be able to access their land,” he said. Croal also underscored the important role of the media in ensuring that beneficiaries are informed. “All of these persons in the areas I mentioned can view their lots and from the dates identified, they can sign their agreements of sale and proceed to their certificates of title. It’s very important, and from time to time we will be doing these exercises, using the opportunity of the media to update our beneficiaries as to what is happening in the housing sector. It’s very important for you to follow,” he urged. The Minister further encouraged persons to be patient, explaining that the process involves a significant amount of documentation that must be carefully reviewed. Beneficiaries are required to examine and verify the documents before signing, which can take time. As a result, the Minister highlighted that, individuals are invited in batches to ensure that each person receives adequate attention and proper service. The same approach is applied during land-showing exercises, where persons are also called in batches to guarantee that they are given full attention throughout the process. The Housing Ministry, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), he said, is working beyond the call of duty to ensure that home ownership becomes a reality for Guyanese. “Home ownership is not just about the allocation of lots and that is certainly not where we are stopping. It is to ensure that, one, persons get ownership, and two, that they have the opportunity to build their own homes. That is part of our focus,” the Minister stated.