All allottees of the De Kinderen Housing Scheme in Region Three will be able to access their house lots, as infrastructure works in the scheme are anticipated to be completed by the end of December 2023.

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, made this announcement on Thursday during a site visit to several schemes in Region Three, where he interacted with contractors. A technical team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority and Guyana Water Incorporated was present.

While lot identification at the De Kinderen area began in September, a number of allottees are still awaiting access due to the ongoing infrastructure works.

In the Stewartville and Meten-Meer-Zorg housing developments, the Minister stated that by the end of the first quarter of 2024, persons allocated lands will be able to access their lots. He noted the challenges faced by contractors in gaining access points and obtaining construction materials, which led to delays in the schemes. However, while most contractors are performing well since receiving access to the lands, two contractors are currently under review for slothful work, with one facing termination.

“We have reinforced to the contractors, the necessity for completion. With certainty, we are terminating one of the contractors,” the Minister said.

He further stated that following an upcoming meeting with the other contractor, the Ministry will decide how to proceed with that particular contract.

The two-bedroom low-income homes being constructed at Leonora/Groenveldt were also visited by the Minister. A number of homes are presently in the construction phase, and another batch is set to commence in the next few weeks. The Ministry is encouraging individuals with pending house lot applications to register for the available housing units.

Overall, some $21.5 billion is being expended for the ongoing works in the housing schemes visited. Approximately 5,000 Guyanese were allocated lots in these areas.

Simultaneously, the Ministry is advancing the construction of the $11.8 billion Schoonord to Crane Four-lane Highway. Furthermore, invitations for bids have been opened for infrastructure works in Cornelia Ida (East Phase 2) in Region Three, as well as various schemes in Region Four (East Coast of Demerara), Region Five (West Coast of Berbice), and Region Ten (Amelia’s Ward and Fitz Hope).