Three hundred families from Kwakwani in Region 10 are embarking on their journey to homeownership as they will today receive residential lots. This exciting journey for these families started earlier today at the Kwakwani Basketball Court during another Dream Realize event organized by the Ministry.
Among the recipients are families who have faced flooding issues at the Kwakwani Waterfront for many years. The lots being distributed are located in the New Kwakwani Phase One housing scheme. The event was led by the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, along with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bishram Kuppen. The Central Housing and Planning Authority was represented by Denise King-Tudor, Director of Operations, and Hladwin Charles, Community Development Director.
Todayโs event marks an important step in improving the lives of the community. Minister Croal emphasized the commitment to fulfilling promises made to residents living near the waterfront.
To support this new housing development, over six contractors will begin work on the necessary infrastructure. A budget of $1.6 billion has been allocated for these improvements, to have all basic amenities ready by the end of this year. The contractors have already begun mobilizing in the area.
Additionally, the Minister discussed holistic plans to address all outstanding housing applications from various regions, except Region Four, by mid-2025. In Kwakwani alone, there are 288 pending applications, while a total of 1,589 lots have been allocated.
So far, more than $50 million in vouchers for steel and cement have been distributed in the region, assisting homeowners in starting their construction projects.
Regarding the water sector, the Minister acknowledged concerns raised by residents about the level of service they are receiving. He noted that a request has been made for another water well, and investigations have revealed that the current issues stem from breakages in the system. To address these problems, a contract worth $10 million has been established, ensuring that residents will receive better quality service moving forward.
A significant number of residents from Hope Lowlands, situated on the East Coast of Demerara, gathered to participate in an interactive session with the Hon. Collin Croal, the Minister of Housing and Water. This evening event provided a valuable platform for the Minister to update the community on ongoing and future development plans affecting Hope Lowlands and neighbouring areas while also getting residents to voice their concerns and suggestions for local improvements.
During the meeting, Minister Croal highlighted the extensive initiatives undertaken by his ministry, detailing the substantial investments made over the past few years across various sectors. He emphasized the government’s commitment to fulfilling its manifesto promises, noting that significant progress has been made in delivering these commitments. Among the achievements mentioned were the reinstatement of Community Service Officers, the introduction of an Education Cash Grant to assist families, the provision of free university education, improved access to treated water throughout the coastal region, the goal of achieving universal secondary education, and the successful delivery of 50,000 house lots.
