Minister Croal tells UN General Assembly that ‘Silica City’ will be progressive model for similar developments

On Thursday, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, addressed the United Nations’ (UN) High Level Meeting of the General Assembly in New York, where he highlighted Guyana’s aggressive housing programme and plans for the development of the new ‘Silica City.’

It was noted that the high-level meeting was convened to assess the progress of the implementation of the UN’s New Urban Agenda. Croal pointed out that Guyana has seen a continuous reduction in the ratio of the urban population to the total population; and a reduction in rural-urban migration as development in rural areas has accelerated over the last two decades.

“This is due in part to the implementation of an ambitious country-wide housing programme, premised on a number of key actions, including countrywide distribution of house lots, the development of new housing schemes and improving access to finance for low-income earners,” he said.    The minister noted that government is focused on further transforming Guyana, through the application of globally established principles of sustainable development.

As a matter of fact. considering that Georgetown is below sea level, Croal noted that government is moving ahead with plans to establish the new city, ‘Silica City’ along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Croal disclosed that the establishment of this new urban centre is a brainchild of President Irfaan Ali. He said that the projected population over the next 20 years will be approximately 50,000 or 12,500 households. As such, within the first five years, they are projecting that the city would be developed to cater for at least 3,125 households.

The housing and water minister stressed that this will serve as a progressive model for similar developments. Therefore, he said Guyana has underscored the need for adequate financing for the full implementation of the New Urban Agenda, including international partnerships. “We affirm our commitment to the objectives of the New Urban Agenda and to maintaining a constructive and innovative approach to issues of urbanisation,” he declared to the assembly.

The minister further explained that the government is focused on further transforming Guyana, through the application of globally established principles of sustainable development. As such, he disclosed that the new and expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 elaborates priorities to stimulate growth in a sustainable manner.  He said that this includes implementing Sustainable Planning and Urban Development policies that address some of the challenges in urban areas, including improper solid waste disposal, flooding and inefficient modes of transit.