By Isanella Patoir
Some 1,800 residents from Region Four will finally be awarded a house lot on Friday and Saturday through the Ministry of Housing and Water, ‘Dream Realised’ initiative.
The two-day event is being held at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The ministry has also invited representatives from the various banks and insurance companies to assist the residents with any query or information they may have in relation to building their house.
“What a relief. I think this part of it is over and it is just for me to go to the other step,” said registered midwife, Andrea Nedd. She was among the first set of persons who were given a house lot.
During an interview with the News Room, Nedd explained that she first applied for a house lot in 2009 and then again in 2013, however, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government took office in August 2020, Nedd again approached the ministry and was promised that she would receive a call, but she was doubtful.
“They did call me, I was in a bus when I got that call to come for my house lot and I am here. Thanks to God, I have received my house lot,” a relieved Nedd said.
Meanwhile, Deoranie Boodram said she sent in her application since 2011 and was told she had to wait for the government to allocate house lost. Nine years later, the mother of one is happy to begin the process of owning her house. Boodram lamented that she spent a lot of money on rent over the past nine years.
“I went several times to the office and they keep saying that I have to wait to allocate the house lots and I keep on waiting and praying and thank God for this day.
“It is going to be a big step in my life right now cause plenty times you have to keep moving and it is not easy to pay that money every month – the house rent. Now I am getting my own land and I am going to start building soon,” Boodram said.
The government, in its 2020 manifesto, promised to allocate 50,000 house lots over the next four years, however, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal revealed that they are major challenges with attaining this goal. He alluded to the unavailability of lands, lack of infrastructure, access to loans and construction costs.
The government has so far removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on building materials while over $3B was allocated to the housing sector for infrastructural development in new and current housing schemes as well as land acquisition.
“At least more than 1,800 persons will leave here with an allocation of a plot of land.
“Today is the day that you will perhaps attain what is one of the most important achievements of your life and I am grateful that I am here to witness this celebration for your achievement,” Minister Croal stated.
Recipients will be required to make a down payment and will also be guided throughout the process by the staff of the ministry as well as Minister Croal and other officials.
