At keys handing over … Plans announced for extensive West Bank Demerara housing
Written by Chevon Singh
Saturday, 17 September 2011 03:03
Source - Guyana Chronicle
One of the Core Homes in Non Pariel already under expansion.
THIRTY-EIGHT persons now have places to call homes, as they are the latest beneficiaries of the Core House Pilot, under the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Low Income Settlement Two Programme (LIS2).
The nine families were presented with the keys to their new abodes in Block XXX, Non Pariel, on East Coast Demerara, valued a total of $11.2M, at a handing over ceremony in the scheme on Thursday.
“I know we will cherish, care and value this and I feel very privileged as I always had the desire to own my own home. I thank God for this intervention,” declared Mr. Coohoonjah Caesar, one of the beneficiaries, who was overcome with emotion.
He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the IDB, for the opportunity of ownership, which will, significantly, improve the quality of the lives of the other families, as well.
In his address, Minister of Local Government, Mr. Norman Whittaker reminded that housing has always been an important component in the manifesto of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the past 19 years, as its provision is seen as integral to the social advancement of the country as a whole.
“This is an important need that has to be met,” he acknowledged.
Ms. Rhonda Taylor and her daughter cut the ribbon to their new home in the presence of Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, CEO for CH&PA, Myrna Pitt, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Emile McGarrel and other officials.
In addition to this, Whittaker noted that the LIS2 has been extended to hinterland areas, in an effort to provide the same benefits to Amerindian brothers and sisters.
He emphasised, too, that the Government has been working “assiduously” with international and local agencies to provide Guyanese with lots and, eventually, homes.
Whittaker agreed that the demand for lots has been great and “even areas devoted to economic activities, we have been forced to utilise.”
He said the latest figures show close to 100,000 distributed to Guyanese across the country, in a commendable achievement.
Living conditions
The Minister congratulated the new home owners and encouraged them to work along with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the regional authorities to sustain and further improve their living conditions.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer at the CH&PA, Ms. Myrna Pitt explained that the Core House Pilot was designed to address issues of affordability and occupancy.
She said it targets only low income allotees who met the criteria for housing and determined eligible.
Alluding to certain design principles under the programme, Pitt pointed out that the CH&PA will be supplying the starter unit which would be outfitted with a multi-purpose sink, a toilet and bath area and septic tanks with plumbing and electrical fittings.
The houses will be built of concrete and wooden walls which would accommodate further expansion.
“The core house lends itself to expansion, as the beneficiary family can afford it. This is critical and allows the family to expand or improve on that basic unit as their financial circumstances improve,” Pitt outlined.
The smiling faces of beneficiaries of Core Homes in Block XXX, Non Pariel on the East Coast of Demerara.
In addition to the Non Pariel scheme, she revealed that other such houses are currently being constructed at Westminster Phase One, on West Bank Demerara, as well, and Tabatinga, Lethem, Rupununi, accounting for another 32 soon to be completed.
Pitt said another batch, in section EE Non Pariel and Area ‘A’ Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, too, will be advertised for the construction of a further 54 houses in existing schemes in Westminster Phase One, Onderneeming Phase One and at Recht-Door-Zee Phase One, all on West Bank Demerara.
Addressing one area of concern, the CEO admitted that the first phase was not without challenges, among them, the timely completion of works by the contractors, which will be addressed as the project progresses and expands.
“Sustainability is the objective. We want to see expansion. We will continue to work with you to ensure you are in a position to not only maintain your home but to expand it to suit your needs and the needs of your families,” she affirmed.
During the presentation ceremony, Block XXX, Non Pariel, was officially handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
Written by Chevon Singh
Saturday, 17 September 2011 03:03
Source - Guyana Chronicle
One of the Core Homes in Non Pariel already under expansion.THIRTY-EIGHT persons now have places to call homes, as they are the latest beneficiaries of the Core House Pilot, under the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Low Income Settlement Two Programme (LIS2).
The nine families were presented with the keys to their new abodes in Block XXX, Non Pariel, on East Coast Demerara, valued a total of $11.2M, at a handing over ceremony in the scheme on Thursday.
“I know we will cherish, care and value this and I feel very privileged as I always had the desire to own my own home. I thank God for this intervention,” declared Mr. Coohoonjah Caesar, one of the beneficiaries, who was overcome with emotion.
He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the IDB, for the opportunity of ownership, which will, significantly, improve the quality of the lives of the other families, as well.
In his address, Minister of Local Government, Mr. Norman Whittaker reminded that housing has always been an important component in the manifesto of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the past 19 years, as its provision is seen as integral to the social advancement of the country as a whole.
“This is an important need that has to be met,” he acknowledged.
Ms. Rhonda Taylor and her daughter cut the ribbon to their new home in the presence of Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, CEO for CH&PA, Myrna Pitt, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Emile McGarrel and other officials.In addition to this, Whittaker noted that the LIS2 has been extended to hinterland areas, in an effort to provide the same benefits to Amerindian brothers and sisters.
He emphasised, too, that the Government has been working “assiduously” with international and local agencies to provide Guyanese with lots and, eventually, homes.
Whittaker agreed that the demand for lots has been great and “even areas devoted to economic activities, we have been forced to utilise.”
He said the latest figures show close to 100,000 distributed to Guyanese across the country, in a commendable achievement.
Living conditions
The Minister congratulated the new home owners and encouraged them to work along with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the regional authorities to sustain and further improve their living conditions.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer at the CH&PA, Ms. Myrna Pitt explained that the Core House Pilot was designed to address issues of affordability and occupancy.
She said it targets only low income allotees who met the criteria for housing and determined eligible.
Alluding to certain design principles under the programme, Pitt pointed out that the CH&PA will be supplying the starter unit which would be outfitted with a multi-purpose sink, a toilet and bath area and septic tanks with plumbing and electrical fittings.
The houses will be built of concrete and wooden walls which would accommodate further expansion.
“The core house lends itself to expansion, as the beneficiary family can afford it. This is critical and allows the family to expand or improve on that basic unit as their financial circumstances improve,” Pitt outlined.
The smiling faces of beneficiaries of Core Homes in Block XXX, Non Pariel on the East Coast of Demerara.In addition to the Non Pariel scheme, she revealed that other such houses are currently being constructed at Westminster Phase One, on West Bank Demerara, as well, and Tabatinga, Lethem, Rupununi, accounting for another 32 soon to be completed.
Pitt said another batch, in section EE Non Pariel and Area ‘A’ Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, too, will be advertised for the construction of a further 54 houses in existing schemes in Westminster Phase One, Onderneeming Phase One and at Recht-Door-Zee Phase One, all on West Bank Demerara.
Addressing one area of concern, the CEO admitted that the first phase was not without challenges, among them, the timely completion of works by the contractors, which will be addressed as the project progresses and expands.
“Sustainability is the objective. We want to see expansion. We will continue to work with you to ensure you are in a position to not only maintain your home but to expand it to suit your needs and the needs of your families,” she affirmed.
During the presentation ceremony, Block XXX, Non Pariel, was officially handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).