Budget 2025 Prioritizes Sustainable Housing and Clean Water- Min Croal
January 30 2025 – Defending the allocation during the ongoing budget debates on Wednesday in the National Assembly, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal posited that the government’s proposed $135.7 billion allocation for the housing and water sectors in Budget 2025 is a key step in expanding affordable housing and improving access to potable water for all Guyanese.
He emphasized that the investment is justified and necessary. He argued that it reflects the government’s commitment to correcting past mismanagement while building a future where every citizen can thrive.
Over the years, the government has invested more than $244 billion to accelerate development in these critical sectors.
Government’s Achievements in Housing and Water
The PPP/C administration has made significant strides in delivering on its housing and water sector promises. Since 2020, the government has:
Allocated over 40,808 residential house lots
Completed infrastructure works in 50+ housing schemes
Constructed major highways on the West and East Bank of Demerara
Expanding Access to Potable Water
The government has also drilled 157 wells across the country, with 130 in hinterland and riverine communities, providing 40,000+ residents with first-time access to potable water.
Several new water treatment plants are underway, positioning the country to achieve 90% treated water coverage along the coast by the end of 2025. Additionally, construction will soon begin on five more water treatment plants.
Budget 2025: A Blueprint for Growth
Minister Croal described Budget 2025 as “an excellent blueprint” that will allow the government to build on its achievements while driving further economic growth.
He reiterated that over the past four years, the PPP/C government has proven its ability to effectively manage the nation’s affairs, ensuring that development reaches every Guyanese household.
Addressing the Opposition’s Criticism
Responding to concerns raised by the opposition, Minister Croal reminded the House that Guyana’s housing crisis began before 1992, stemming from decades of neglect, mismanagement, and underinvestment.
He noted that there was a significant shortage of houses, particularly for low-income families. Many families were living in overcrowded conditions with inadequate access to basic amenities
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Upon taking office in 1992, the PPP/C government made housing a priority, recognizing the severity of the crisis. Despite economic challenges, the administration allocated millions of dollars to implement a comprehensive housing programme.
However, Minister Croal criticized the APNU+AFC coalition’s tenure, stating that little to no progress was made in continuing the robust housing strategy inherited from the PPP/C.
He stated that there was a lazy approach to the housing sector, and while the ministry is busy developing new housing areas, building affordable housing and expanding Guyana’s infrastructure portfolio, the opposition look for every reason to complain and criticise without offering anything tangible.
Minister Croal pointed out that under the opposition, only three new housing schemes—Peter’s Hall, Providence, and Prospect Track A—were developed, with just a few houses constructed along the East Bank of Demerara and in the hinterland.
Meanwhile, many housing projects were abandoned or left incomplete, leaving thousands of applications unresolved.
