US developer advances major housing projects at Diamond, Ogle

…Ambassador Theriot, Labour Minister tour ongoing construction

A United States-based real estate developer is advancing two major housing developments in Guyana, with construction activities expected to generate up to 1000 skilled and semi-skilled jobs, according to information released by the US Embassy in Guyana on its social media page.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot and Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith visited the developments on November 6, touring the TAJ Diamond project at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and TAJ Dream Ogle on the East Coast Demerara.

The visit, according to a statement issued by Coastal Rim Properties Inc (CRP), the developer operating in Guyana under the TAJ Guyana brand, included officials from the US Embassy and occupational safety and health officers from the Labour Ministry.
The delegation walked through the active construction sites, reviewed the development plans, inspected homes under construction, and met with the company’s management and operational teams.
Ambassador Theriot said the projects demonstrate the contribution American Private Sector investment can make to Guyana’s economic development, particularly through employment, housing and skills transfer.
“We, as the US Embassy, are incredibly proud to have this world-class American company here in Guyana building housing for people of all incomes,” she is quoted as saying in a statement issued by Coastal Rim Properties Inc.
The Ambassador, the statement said, noted that the company was introducing US construction and safety standards while partnering with local Guyanese firms.
She also highlighted the opportunities for local workers to develop their skills and progress into management positions within the construction and housing sectors.
Minister Griffith said the developments aligned with the Government’s housing agenda and its efforts to expand homeownership opportunities.
“Home ownership is essential to all Guyanese. It’s something that this Government is passionate about, to ensure that Guyanese can have good homes and a good living,” he said.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Ministry’s health and safety officers, said he was pleased with what he observed at the sites, particularly regarding occupational health and safety.
He added that he was looking forward to the completion of the developments and the opportunities they would provide for Guyanese.

Meanwhile, TAJ Guyana Chief Operating Officer Jorg Schmitt said the company was looking forward to working with the Ministry of Labour to provide internship opportunities at its construction sites.
He said the initiative would allow Guyanese to benefit from knowledge and experience from the United States and other parts of the world.
Schmitt also said the company was looking forward to partnering with US suppliers and service providers as the projects progress.
TAJ Guyana Construction Director Kent Burch described the Diamond development as a 218-home gated community with amenities and retail facilities.
Burch noted that the project involved architects from the United States and welcomed the Ambassador’s visit to the construction site.
One of the developers, Giovanni Mola, said the company was committed to building communities to international standards while working with Guyanese.
He said the visit provided an opportunity for the company to showcase its work and the standards being applied at the developments.
Nicola Mola, another developer, said the company’s activities in Guyana formed part of a long-term commitment, pointing to TAJ Diamond, TAJ Dream Ogle, and TAJ Emerald.
According to the company’s statement, CRP has more than 50 years of experience in real estate development and a portfolio of over 6000 completed single-family homes and apartments.
Its Guyana portfolio comprises TAJ Diamond, a 218-home gated community; TAJ Emerald, a planned 300-home gated condominium community on the East Bank Demerara; and TAJ Dream Ogle, a development comprising more than 1000 units on the East Coast Demerara, co-developed with NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
The US Embassy also noted that the projects would highlight the contribution of US-manufactured construction materials and American development standards to Guyana’s housing and commercial real estate sectors.