1,000 House Lots Distributed on East Bank Demerara, sixth distribution for 2021

The housing and water ministry presented another 1,000 Guyanese tiles as they became proud
landowners. The ministry through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, returned for its
second allocation exercise on the East Bank of Demerara, Demerara Mahaica (Region Four). The
allocations were facilitated at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara on Friday.
Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Housing and Water Junior Minister, Susan
Rodrigues; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally; and Chief Executive Officer of the Central
Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, all attended.
The Ministry said that it aims to clear its backlog, thus the distribution process saw applicants
dating back to the early 2000s receiving house lots. They said that among those was Ms.
Shameeza Mohan, who is a mother of two. Mohan applied in 2009, being overwhelmed she said
that the allocation is significant to her family, as they will finally be able to build their own
home. “After waiting so long, it feels so good that I was able to get through and have something
of my own.” she said, as she expressed her eagerness to begin construction soon,” the mother of
two said. Also, among allottees was Woman Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ms. Myrna
Richards. She had lost her property in October last, due to a fire at the Vigilance Police Station.
Ms. Richards, who has given 33 years of service to the Guyana Police Force, expressed heartfelt
gratitude to the Government and the Ministers for the allocation.
The lots allocated is in the Block Plantation Grove/Block Great Diamond area for moderate and
middle-income earners. CHPA stressed that they have the potential to generate a lot yield of over
three thousand lots, inclusive of residential, residential/commercial, commercial, industrial and
the sites reserved for social and economic activities, as the area further develops. They pointed
out that the Diamond/Grove area is also strategically located in close proximity to the East
Coast/East Bank Bypass Highway. Housing and Water minister, Collin Croal, said that the
scheme will be outfitted will all the necessary infrastructure, in keeping with the
Administration’s goal for wholesome communities. “The demand for housing is just the tip of
the iceberg. Other demands arise too for better roads, bridges, drainage and access to water,
among others,” said Minister Croal. He added, “the allocation of house lots and simultaneous
infrastructural development that is taking place, will ensure that our promise of fully developed
housing schemes is kept,” Minister Croal promised He said that while, this exercise catered for
moderate- and middle-income earners, in July his Ministry also allocated 1,000 house lots to
low-income persons on the East Bank of Demerara. Minister Rodrigues said that this is another
example of the Government’s commitment to, serve all Guyanese. “While there are lots of
competing interests for lands for commercial and industrial development, we have to make lands
available for the ordinary Guyanese […] We are giving equal opportunity to all income
brackets,” she said.
Rodrigues added that not only is the allocation process free of economic discrimination but
ethnic and religious as well. She noted that this is also the sixth allocation exercise conducted by
the Ministry across Guyana for 2021.