Residents in Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two are expected to see improved services under the Ministry of Housing and Water. Subject Minister Collin Croal made the commitment during his first ministerial visit to a number of villages on the Essequibo Coast.
Meetings were held at Charity, Anna Regina, and Onderneeming Sand Pit/Red Village. During his first meeting, which was held with Regional officials, programme heads, and heads of Government agencies, at State House, Anna Regina, Minister Croal called for better Government services in the region.
Meanwhile, among the top complaints by residents was the long wait for house lot allocations, titles, and a number of irregularities in the application process. The Minister said a fully staffed and equipped Regional Housing office will be established to assist residents going forward.
On the issue of squatting, the Minister reiterated the Ministry’s zero-tolerance approach to squatting. Minister Croal reminded citizens that applying to the Ministry of Housing is the only legal pathway to access a residential house lot from the Government.
He informed the communities the Government plans to develop 22 areas across the country for housing. In addition to the distribution of 10,000 allocations annually, the Minister spoke of the public-private partnerships which will enhance the Government’s housing drive.
Citing projects which were catered for in the 2020 National Budget, Minister Croal said these funds will kick-start the long-term housing drive. The money, he said, will be used for the clearing of new lands and the construction of access bridges. In the New Year, works will commence on infrastructure development in these areas.
Speaking to issues in the water sector, the Minister spoke of long and short-term interventions which will be completed in the coming months. The Minister also said the Guyana Water Incorporated will ensure that there is frequent flushing of water systems to improve the quality of the water. Additionally, plans are in place for the digging of wells, the rehabilitation of existing ones, and the construction of new pump stations in unreserved areas.
