Infrastructure Development in Guyana First Smart City on track – Min Croal

Infrastructure Development in Guyana First Smart City on track – Min Croal

June 11, 2024: Minister of Housing and Water, the Hon. Collin Croal has expressed his satisfaction with the pace at which infrastructure works are progressing at Guyana’s first Smart City – Silica City.


His sentiments were shared earlier today, during a visit to the 109 acres of development, which is located at Tract B Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Led by a team of engineers from the Ministry’s Project Department, the Minister inspected the Young Professional Houses that are under construction as well as other infrastructure works.

Hon. Minister Croal, far right with engineers.

The first seventy-four (74) units are at various stages of completion, while construction will commence in the coming weeks on another thirty-six (36) units.

Hon. Minister Croal inspecting a Young Professional Home

The Minister explained that even as construction is ongoing, the agency is in the process of qualifying persons who have indicated their interest in the properties.

Hon. Minister Croal speaking with Reporters.

“We do have a list of persons that will be pulled from our database who have indicated an interest, so we’re first of all going to the pre-qualification phase, that’s where we are at now…we have not allocated these units as interested persons have to be pre-qualified at banks”.
The young professional homes will be constructed in four distinct styles, comprising two flat units valued at $25,200,603 and $25,290,178, and two elevated units priced at $33,980,153 and $34,450,145.

Minister Croal also pointed out that the construction of the first 110 units has seen an investment of B $3.

Also, works are moving apace on the first phase infrastructure, including the installation of electrical network, road, and drainage. Simultaneously, the procurement process has commenced for an independent water source to serve the area.

The concept of Silica City was first introduced by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Water back in 2013. The idea was born out of the pressing need for a complementary urban center to alleviate the challenges posed by non-coastal urban settlement development and the impending threats of climate change and rising sea levels.

Silica City would serve as an innovative solution, offering a resilient haven for residents in a changing world.