Prospective homeowners to identify house lots at Wales Phase Three by end of May – Min Croal

– contractors urged to speed up works ahead of May-June rainy season

Ongoing infrastructure works in Phase Three of the Wales Housing Development, West Bank Demerara (WBD), are expected to be completed by the end of May, according to Housing Minister Collin Croal. Minister Croal made this announcement during a visit to several areas of Phase Three, including Laurentia, Catherina, Lorenzo, Viva La Force and Vriesland.

Works being executed include the construction of access bridges and culverts and the installation of water distribution networks, all of which form part of the initial stage of preparing the lands for residential development. Approximately 15 contractors are currently engaged in the first phase of infrastructure development in the area. Providing an update on the progress of the project, Croal explained that the Ministry is working toward having the lands ready for prospective homeowners by the end of May.

“We want to see that by the end of May all persons should be able to identify their lots in the Phase Three areas. For those lots that are completed ahead of time, we will move to conduct the surveys so that persons can begin seeing their lots even earlier,” he noted. The Minister added that while some access challenges were experienced during the initial stage of the development, most of those issues have since been resolved and works are progressing satisfactorily.
Further, he highlighted that the development forms part of the massive housing rollout in Wales, noting that the Government will continue to expand the area as more lands become available.

“We will continue working as we acquire more lands from NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited). As we acquire more lands, we will continue development for future allocations,” he stated. To date, over 3500 house lots have already been allocated within the Wales Housing Development. In addition, the Minister within the Housing Ministry, Vanessa Benn, who accompanied Minister Croal, encouraged contractors to maximise the current favourable weather conditions to accelerate works, particularly ahead of the typical May-June rainy season.
“We are now in March and moving closer to the May-June rains. We have good weather now, so please push as much work as possible – but without compromising quality,” she urged.
Minister Benn also reminded contractors of the significance of the project to thousands of Guyanese families.
“What you are doing here is Guyana’s development. It is about ensuring people have access and the opportunity to build their homes. The work you do must ensure that future homeowners have proper roads and access when they begin construction,” she added. The Wales Housing Development continues to play a major role in the Government’s national housing programme aimed at expanding access to homeownership for thousands of Guyanese families. Also, as part of the inspection team were Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen and Senior Engineer Anthony Ragnaught, along with other technical staff and engineers overseeing the project.