Twenty families from Region Nine recently received keys to their new homes, marking a notable improvement in their quality of life.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, handed over the homes, which are the first batch constructed under the Ministry’s Hinterland Housing Programme in the region. Accompanying the Minister were the Regional Chairman, Mr. Brian Allicock; the Hinterland Services Director at Guyana Water Incorporated, Mr. Ramchand Jailal; and technical staff.
The 20×25-foot flat homes, totaling approximately $60 million, were built—ten in Yakarinta and ten in Nappi, utilizing materials and labor sourced from the area. The homes are constructed at no cost to the beneficiaries. The Ministry collaborated with the Village Council to select the families.
Minister Croal emphasized that the programme aims to ensure that vulnerable Hinterland families can access sustainable housing solutions. He highlighted that in Region Nine, 120 homes are currently under construction as part of the Hinterland Housing Programme. This includes villages such as Crashwater, Tiger Pond, Yurong Paru, Rupunau, Shea, etc. Additionally, Region Nine benefits from the Lethem Housing Support Programme, where the Ministry contributes $1 million towards construction, while commercial banks offer loans of $2 million to landowners. Overall, the Minister revealed that Region Nine currently has ongoing contracts worth $700 million for home construction in Lethem and various villages.
Ms. Grace Melville, one of the new homeowners in Nappi, expressed that the new home will greatly enhance her family’s living situation compared to their previous circumstances.
“It is more better than before I was living and I am happy,” said Ms. Melville.
Mr. Fitzroy Benjamin, a father of three from Yakarinta, shared that his previous home was destroyed by a fire. He noted that since he does not have a stable job to construct a new home, he is happy to benefit from the government project.
The Hinterland Housing Programme will see the construction of four hundred (400) homes across Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
[Ministry of Housing and Water]
