CH&PA Cummings Lodge housing project on schedule

─ Housing Minister lauds economic spinoffs

The Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) housing development underway at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, is on track for completion in four months.

On Friday, Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal visited the site, where some 140, two-bedroom, elevated houses are under construction, with works on another 50 set to start soon.

The homes are part of the CH&PA’s 1,000 young, professional and low-income National Housing Development Programme, set to be completed this year. Units will be built at Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Providence, Little Diamond and Great Diamond in Region Four; Onderneeming and Wales in Region Three; Ordnance/Fortlands, Hampshire and Williamsburg in Region Six, and Amelia’s Ward in Region 10.

Minister Croal told DPI he was satisfied with the quality of work.

“I am extremely pleased to see what is going on here now. The last time we were here, recall we had issues with clearing a number of persons who were squatting. So that matter has been sorted out and you have here now ongoing construction for about 140 of the 190 houses that we intend to construct.”

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal and CH&PA’s supervisory engineer Mr. Cy Rodrigues (centre) examine the map of the Cummings Lodge area, while a representative of one of the contractors look on

Some 12 contractors are currently working on the Cummings Lodge Project. Minister Croal said he is impressed by the spinoffs, where hundreds of Guyanese are able to find work, while others are generating income through the sale of food.

“I am also pleased with the employment, opportunities for employment, generation of wealth for every individual here for their household family. So, think about the magnitude this simple exercise of the construction of these low-income houses.”

He said the Sophia community should feel proud of the new developments.

“Prior to coming here, all you saw were bushes and trees and everybody saying this is the back of Sophia. Now that you see what is taking place on this side, it can even become the front, based on the perspective of where you come in. We also have plans for more road networking to allow access to this area.”

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal being briefed on the project by a contractor representative

Ongoing works include the further clearance of land, which the Minister said will lead towards Aubrey Barker Road. He is pleading with individuals who are occupying the areas along the path to allow contractors and staff of the CH&PA to work freely.

“When we are back here within a month, you will be able to have visibility straight in line, taking you to Aubrey Barker Road. The first phase will be for the houses to be constructed.

The continuous work will be for the other allocations that we have made in terms of the high, middle and low income. You will be able to see how this area will be able to be transformed.”

A plot of land being prepared for construction

In March, the CH&PA signed 51 contracts for the construction of 290 homes. Included in that amount are the 190 elevated homes in Cummings Lodge, while another 100, two-bedroom flats will be constructed at Prospect, East Bank Demerara.