Survey reveals over 1500 unregularised houses on Linden-Soesdyke Highway

…900 to be relocated to Hauraruni

An occupational survey has revealed that over 1500 housing structures are in existence in five different areas along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. As the Government continues to regularise housing along the highway, plans are in place to develop more structured communities and relocate 900 of these households.
Speaking during a recent community roundtable discussion, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal spoke about the Government’s plans for the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. He said that an occupational survey has shown that 1575 housing structures exist in five areas along the highway.
Croal explained that in an effort to regularise communities along the highway, 900 of these households will be relocated to Hauraruni, a community on the highway. Plans are also afoot for them to be relocated to another area as well, the design of which is a work in progress.

“We have done an occupational survey of the main areas on the highway. And in fact, we have over 1575 structures or occupants in five different areas that we have captured. Our first exercise will, therefore, see twofold [action]. One, we have an area not too far from here, Hauraruni, that we have identified. The work has already started to clear the land, which will see at least about 900 persons being relocated to that area.”
“And then, we have another initiative in which His Excellency, the President [Dr Irfaan Ali] will speak in depth to, to also present to you a model on a new area that we’re doing the design now, that the Guyana Lands and Surveys has made available, that will see us restructuring and aligning it into a housing scheme,” he said.
According to Croal, the homestead model will be emphasised within this housing scheme, allowing recipients to earn disposable income through agriculture while also contributing to Guyana’s food security goals.
“By using your land space, to be able to earn for yourself. And that can go back towards repaying for your building. So, I want to say to you that you have a caring government and a President that loves all the citizens.
“And the intention, therefore, is to have all of you be relocated where necessary, but to put you in a space and to have ownership for your own area, that will allow you to continue your respective work and secondly, to be able to have, on the side, additional earnings,” he further explained.

Meanwhile, the Minister reminded of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s track record of providing support to those setting out to build or do upgrades to their homes. He referenced the steel and cement housing subsidy programme, a brain child of President Ali that allows those eligible to receive vouchers to purchase steel and cement from suppliers in their area.
“You would recall after the intervention at Swan, an instruction was passed whereby we had an exercise. And to see how some of you could have benefited from the support of the steel and cement initiative, as well as to be able to have your document taken on with the bank, to have you be able to prequalify so that you can put your own building,” Croal said.
The Government has been implementing a massive developmental agenda along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. This agenda has included upgrading the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, including the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the road, with two lanes undivided, nine bridges, and six culverts with improved design, quality, and standards.
It also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support and improved connectivity with communities, and roadside and other facilities.
The scope of work also entails milling of existing asphalt surface course; application of various pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and sub-base; full-depth pavement reconstruction in certain sections; construction of two roundabouts along the alignment; sidewalks extension to nine multi-span bridges; drainage work; utility relocation and installation of roadway lighting.
Plans also include the construction of Silica City, Guyana’s first large-scale, modern and sustainable city. As much as 3800 acres of land have been set aside for infrastructural work, which is already underway. This includes creating 100 residential/smart homes outfitted with the newest energy-saving technologies, in addition to green areas and other facilities.
In February 2023, some $2.1 billion worth of contracts were signed to expedite these efforts.
The project, however, is still in the first phase, and the Guyana Government has previously disclosed plans to acquire and develop approximately 10,000 acres of land to further enhance the area. (G3)