Development of ECD corridor to mirror East Bank as 600 more house lots allocated

By Richard Bhainie

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In keeping with the massive development slated for the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor which is expected to mirror the development trajectory of the East Bank Demerara corridor, 600 more persons were allocated house lots on the East Coast on Tuesday.

The lands were allotted at Plantation De Endragt, a new scheme being developed within the Mon Repos – La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) during the Ministry of Housing and Water Dream Realised exercise at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Delivering remarks during the opening ceremony, subject minister, Collin Croal said that the ministry has to date established 16 new housing areas in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six – seven of which have been established on the East Coast.

“Since our return to government, on the East Coast of Demerara alone, we have invested more than $10 billion on first phase infrastructure works in the new residential areas,” Croal said, adding that another $10 billion is slated to be invested in 2023.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues emphasised that the East Coast of Demerara will mirror the transformation which took place on the East Bank of Demerara.

She told the allottees that the government’s approach to its highly subsided housing programme is to enrich lives and to ensure persons increase their equity and net worth.

By the end of the Dream Realised allocation exercise, close to 5,000 persons would have been allocated lots on the East Coast of Demerara alone since the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) assumed office.

Felicia Bristol, 35, a single mother from Hope, ECD said that she has been waiting for over 15 years for her house lot and will now finally be able to build her house.

“We’re happy because it ain’t easy to find the rent,” Bristol said.

Forty-five-year-old Deon Cyrus, a single mother from Anns Grove, ECD expressed that she feels happy to finally receive her allocation since applying in 2010.

Twenty-five-year-old Kawat Lochan, a resident of Enmore, said that acquiring his house lot is a “big achievement” at this stage in his life and he will now have a legacy to pass on to his next generation.

Lochan, a carpenter by trade, said that he intends to start construction as soon as possible and will be undertaking the feat by himself as he works in the construction industry.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves told the allottees that Plantation De Endragt has great potential as massive future development is slated for the area.

The area will house close to 1,000 residential lots, and will have spaces for places of worship, schools and commercial lots. It will also be connected to the new Ogle Highway and a new road linking Aubrey Barker, Georgetown to Enmore.