Housing ministry to push land titles, infrastructure
Stabroek News
January 12, 2003
The government intends to distribute between 8000 and 10,000 land titles this year compared to 7474 in 2002 says Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh.
Baksh was speaking at a press briefing held yesterday to give an overview of last year’s performance and to outline some of the plans for this year.
The ministry also intends to make 5000 house lot allocations. Last year 4195 out of a budgeted 5000 lots were distributed.
The Minister said for last year, only one new housing scheme was opened, and this was in Paradise North. He said that finding land in Region Four is challenging and his ministry is in discussion with GUYSUCO so that non-productive lands could be made available.
Construction of houses is being pushed and 134 homes costing $1.5M were built last year and another 270 are to be constructed in 2003. He said full support is being given by the New Building Society and Citizens Bank in, making loans easier to get and he would like to see more loans being approved in 2003.
Government also plans to implement $500m worth of infrastructural projects for government-funded projects and $200M for the housing fund.
It intends to complete Phase 1 of 14 schemes, and to commence works for Phase 2 of 12 schemes under the GOG-IDB Project Low Income Settlements programme. An EU funded programme is also to commence works in four schemes.
Constraints on these plans are the availability of funding for non-IDB, non-EU housing areas projects. In an effort to build vibrant communities in housing areas, the ministry plans to establish 25 of what it called ‘Community Development Communities’ and to run training programmes for 50 of these. In the area of town planning and development, there are plans for completely new town and country planning legislation.
The Minister is also seeking Cabinet approval of the Georgetown Development Plan to start its implementation.
Development of town plans for old townships such as New Amsterdam, Linden and Corriverton, and the new townships of Lethem, Parika and Charity are also being proposed. Development of the Georgetown Sea Wall and some sections of D’Urban Park were also identified for recreational and sporting activities.
Baksh mentioned a plan to develop roundabouts in the city of Georgetown to alleviate the traffic situation.
Some of the challenges the Minister envisages for the New Year are:
1. To promote the building of houses in the housing schemes and so significantly increase occupancy rates.
2. To widen access to finance for housing construction for both low and middle income groups.
3. To acquire new lands for housing development in Region Four to satisfy the growing demand for house lots.
4. To accelerate building of basic infrastructure in housing schemes and squatter settlements.
5. To encourage active private sector involvement in housing development.
6. To commence the electrification programme in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
