Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, joined President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other Cabinet members on a visit to Victory Valley, Linden on Sunday morning, where they met with residents to discuss government plans for housing expansion in the region.
Minister Croal, addressing the gathered crowd, shared exciting news for the area, revealing that 11 new housing developments in Region 10 are set to be regularised and developed within the first half of this year.
Croal expressed strong confidence in the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Guyanese, irrespective of their background or political affiliation and underscored the unified approach taken by President Ali and his team.
“There is one thing our President has charged us to do, and that is to work hard every single day to make the lives of the people of Guyana better,” said Croal, drawing attention to the inclusive nature of their governance.
Highlighting the achievements under the current administration, Croal lauded the success of “Operation Cleanup,” a campaign spearheaded by President Ali, aimed not only at cleaning up public spaces but also at securing legal ownership for land occupants.
“We are working diligently to ensure people have ownership of the land they occupy,” said the minister, adding that the initiative is helping to formalise settlements across the region.
In particular, Croal pointed to the progress made in areas like New Hope and Blueberry Hill.
“In 2024 alone, over 750 individuals in Region 10 have received land titles, a clear demonstration of our administration’s commitment to providing land and proper infrastructure for Guyanese,” he stated.
The minister didn’t miss the opportunity to contrast the current government’s performance with that of the previous administration. He noted that, in the five years between 2015 and 2020, fewer than 300 land allocations were made in Region 10, with no areas being regularised.
“In just four years, this government has allocated over 1,600 lots, proving our dedication to the people of Linden,” he asserted.
This year, the government’s ambitious plan includes regularising 11 areas in Region 10, including prominent locations such as Siberian, Silver Hill, New Hope, and Green Valley. Croal assured the public that this number could increase, as President Ali continues to prioritise housing development. “These 11 areas are just the minimum. The President might give us more work,” Croal quipped.
One of the key aspects of the housing development initiative is the improvement of basic infrastructure, including water supply. Croal proudly stated that Region 10 now enjoys 100% access to treated water, a notable achievement for the region.
