Hundreds rush for house lots/ titles at Essequibo ‘Dram Realised’

Hundreds of persons in Essequibo, Region 2 who waited for years to be issued with house lots, titles and transports will see an end to that waiting period between today Friday and tomorrow Saturday ithrough the Ministry of Housing’s ‘Central Housing and Planning Authority ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive.

In opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA Sherwin Greeves told the gathering that the agency will be making home ownership a reality for hundreds within the region.

The region’s leg of the drive came following a visit by President irfaan Ali recently. Greeves noted more than one hundred titles and transports will also be distributed within the two days ‘Dream Realised’ event. Those seeking to now apply for house lots are also expected to be faciliated.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues told Essequibo residents that while today’s initiative represents the fullfillment of a government promise, it ges beyond that.

According to Minister Rodrigues, at the moment, those who will be issued with house lots today and tomorrow, represents applications that have been in the system since 2019, which means that all other applications before that period in Region 2 which formed a backlog have been cleared.

The gathering was told that government put several systems and initiatives in place to allow for home ownership to be more hassle free.

Struggles and sacrifices made by persons to acquire their funds to be able to own their house lots is not something that has gone unnoticed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Minister Rodrigues told the residents.

Minister of Housing and Water Colin Croal pointed out in his opening remarks that the Ministry of Housing took a decision to roll out what would be the largest housing drive to date, during a pandemic, that is to say… COVID-19.

Minister Croal said when Minister Rodrigues and himself came to office, they were faced with numerous challenges including but not limited to backlogs, not enough lands for development, expensive construction materials and inadequate fiancing for those who desired to build their homes.

Croal explained that the intative in Essequibo over the next two days will also see a further reduction of the backlog for applicants in Region 2 even as the applicaton process has been made more efficient with chages tha were made at the regional housing office and the central office in Georgetown.

The Minister reminded that last month the ministry signed 13,9 billion in contracts to ensure infrastructure and land development works within the housing sectors in Regions 3,4,5, and 6.

It was also at the event that Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Andre Ally anounced that the Ministry will be providing the ramp upon completion of home construction, to a woman who is expected to be allocated her house lot today but has a disibility.