Over 800 allottees at Cummings Lodge to access lands in time for holidays

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal has announced that some 800 allottees within the Cummings Lodge, 1767 Development will have access to their land, in time for Christmas.
The announcement was made on Friday when the Minister made an impromptu visit to the area to meet with contractors. The Minister toured the area, starting from the Aubrey Barker access point to the Cummings Lodge 1767 Development, then to the Eccles highway.
According to Minister Croal, people have been waiting far too long for access to their lands, and as such he issued an ultimatum to the contractors. A total of six contractors are carrying out works in the area.
These works include; the laying of the pipe network, road network, land clearing, and drainage infrastructure.
The contractors were told that all works must be completed by November 30, 2023; failure to meet this deadline will result in the Ministry applying liquidated damages.
Further, the Minister gave an update on the ongoing road work taking place on the Ogle to Eccles interconnection. He noted that the works are progressing smoothly, despite some minor challenges.

Additionally, mention was made of the $1.4 billion water infrastructure works that are ongoing in the Cummings Lodge housing development. The Minister spoke of the ongoing works on a new well and water treatment plant which will serve the area and Sophia.
Over the last three years, a total of 25,996 house lots have been allocated, with a significant portion – 14,054 – being granted to young individuals between the ages of 21 and 35.
The youth demographic represents 54 per cent of the overall allocations made between 2020 and 2023, and the age group ranging from 36 to 50 constitutes 31.5 per cent of the overall allocations while the age group ranging from 36 to 50 constitutes 31.5 per cent.
Regarding house lots allocated to single women, at the end of August this year, 11,373 lots were granted to women, representing 43.7 per cent of the total allocations. Those allocated jointly to couples account for 26.6 per cent.
Additionally, a total of 10,873 house lots were allocated to low-income earners. He emphasised the significance of this allocation, particularly in light of the focus on vulnerable groups.
The distribution of thousands of house lots annually is done through the Government’s signature “Dream Realised” house lot allocation exercise; by the allocation of housing units to low-, moderate- and middle-income earners; and by allocations to young professionals.
Billions of dollars are also being invested to carry out infrastructural work in both new and existing housing schemes with the aim of ensuring that all necessary amenities are in place for the allottees.
President Dr Irfaan Ali revealed a few months ago that there are approximately 57,000 pending house-lot applications. However, to address this and provide lots and housing units to thousands of people, a substantial $170 billion is required.
Another $400 billion would be needed to develop about 200 kilometres of roadways needed for access to the new housing areas being developed in the immediate to medium terms.