Government turns to Linden Highway for massive housing development

The Housing and Water Ministry’s fourth International Building Expo was launched last Friday evening, with the full backing of the private sector and other citizens.

The opening event, which was attended by stakeholders of the business community and government, got underway at the Princess International Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Giving the feature address at the launching of Building Expo 2013, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said this year’s event is not just another exposition of what Guyana has to offer in the construction sector, but will highlight the ministry’s aim for future development, through a new concept.
The exhibition, to be held from July 5 to 7, will utilise a new concept, with the launching of a new housing development area dubbed “Silica City” located on the Soesdyke- Linden Highway.
Ali said “Silica City” is the first real initiative to take industry, commerce and residential housing to the highway on “higher grounds”. He noted that the idea was born after the ministry realised it had reached the peak for developing new house lots along the East Coast of Demerara, while it is currently on its penultimate tier of housing development on the East Bank of Demerara. The last phase will see approximately 8000 lots being developed.
The new housing scheme is expected to see the development of some 500 acres of land along the highway initially. “So we’re going to launch this initiative called “Silica City” and we want to encourage all potential investors, bankers, buyers, sellers to register with “Silica City.”
To motivate persons, the ministry will be offering a special package for those who already applied for house lots and received acknowledgement, to have their applications processed immediately for allocation at the new housing area.
The initiative, he said, answers questions as to “where next” will the ministry seek to develop new housing areas. The housing minister stated that this year’s expo is being hosted as a result of strong private sector support.
Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association President Clinton Williams noted that he considers the Building Expo to be one of the main ingredients of any strategy designed to create economic development and growth in Guyana. He, therefore, applauded the ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) for their efforts in staging the event.
CHPA Chief Executive Officer Myrna Pitt said: “In addition to being a medium for which linkages are established and opportunities for private sector are expanded, the expo will celebrate the successful partnership the CHPA has with the private sector and stakeholders in the construction, manufacturing, commercial, and services sectors.”
International Building Expo 2013, slated for the Guyana National Stadium, will be held under the theme “Consolidating Partnerships for Sustainable Development”.
The event will see participation from local, regional, and international exhibitors and will create opportunities for networking among business stakeholders and consumers alike.