Region 2 residents support change to house-lot application criteria
– applicants from 18 years old to be considered
Persons living in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have given their full support to the Communities Ministry’s move to amend the age of house-lot application eligibility from 21 years to 18 years.
The resounding support was given during the Ministry’s consultation exercise, held on Monday afternoon in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina.
Region Two residents raise their hands in support
Addressing scores of youths from the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS); the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) and residents from the community, Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson reminded that similar consultations were held in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which have also seen overwhelming support.
The Ministry, she said, is advocating for youths from 18 years old to be able to apply for house lots.
“Once you are 18 years old, you are considered an adult, you can vote, you can get a bank account. I believe that once considered an adult, they should also be applicable to apply for a house lot and get the process started,” Sharpe-Patterson stated.
The Minister further explained that at 18 years old, youths were able to apply for almost everything except a house lot, which put them at a disadvantage. She opined that this has left them with less opportunities and options to choose from.
The move to amend the criteria is part of the Government’s youth empowerment strategy, the Minister said.
Alluding to the importance of the move, she said, “Some youths today start their family young; they have to live with families and are confronted with many challenges. This will eradicate those problems, but I want all of your support.”
She, therefore, urged the audience to support the initiative by show of hands, and they promptly responded to the Minister’s call.
Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah also lauded the Ministry’s efforts. Coonjah said that she was happy that young people could be given freedom and opportunities. She also called on the Ministry to speed up the process of house lots distribution so that more families can benefit.
At the end of the consultation, the youths expressed their satisfaction with the decision and commended the efforts of the Minister.
“We are the youths of tomorrow’s future; as such, we must be given the opportunity to excel and set a solid foundation, like we can apply for a laptop, we should be able to do same for a house lot,” Taramattie Persaud said.
