The engineering and construction industries have seen marked growth in the first half of the year in light of the upsurge in construction of new homes. According to the recently-released 2011 Mid-Year Report, this sector has experienced a four per cent growth. “Imports of building materials and construction-related public investment continued to reflect strong growth,” the report stated, while noting that “the value of new mortgages issued also increased consistent with private construction for residential purposes being a dominant factor driving construction activity.” Government is actively supporting and promoting continued emphasis on housing programmes nationwide.
In 2011, government approved Gy$3.6 billion to be used for the improvement of living conditions for citizens, by providing access to affordable housing. In the first half of the year, Gy$2.1 billion was expended, representing some 50 per cent increase in expenditure over the first half of the previous year, and generating some key accomplishments.
During the first half of the year, citizens continued to receive their house lots and titles, with 2,249 lots being allocated of the 7,500 house lots targeted for distribution, and 1,042 titles being processed and issued.
The first half of the year saw the resumption of the One Stop Shop outreaches in communities of Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.
This, the Mid-Year Report said, is in keeping with “government’s objective to stimulate the housing sector and to provide a more integrated approach to the population’s housing needs.” The One Stop Shop outreaches will continue in the second half of the year, with focus on communities in Regions Three, Four, Seven, Nine and 10.
Additionally, as part of the initiative to create and advance linkages among stakeholders in the building and housing sector, government had hosted the second Building Exposition in July.
Under the housing programme for infrastructural development and building, Gy$1.3 billion was expended in the first half of 2011; of which Gy$1 billion was spent in the acquisition of land for housing purposes, while the remainder was spent on infrastructural works, which contributed significantly to the development of 2,124 new house lots.
Under the Second Low Income Settlement (LISII) programme, Gy$543 million was expended during the first half of the year on the completion of infrastructural works in Section EE Non Pareil, Region Four; Tuschen Phase Two, Region Three; No. 76 Village and Ordnance Fortlands in Region Six. In addition, works have commenced in Belle West and are expected to be completed in the second half of the year, the report noted.
The review period also saw the construction of the first batch of core houses under the Core House Pilot component of the LIS II. This resulted in the completion of 16 core houses and construction of 41 of the targeted 148 core houses this year, while the remainder will be completed by the end of this year.
The report revealed that in the housing subsidies component, 10 homes have been selected for renovation with the objective of supporting increased access to affordable housing for the most vulnerable in society; while 50 houses are to be constructed under the Hinterland Housing pilot programme.
These advancements have resulted in a positive trickledown effect on the electricity and water sectors.
The sector has been growing in wake of the construction of new homes and implementation of government’s policy to provide electricity and water countrywide.
“With the continued investments by government in the provision of these services, it is estimated that the sector has grown by 2.6 per cent for the comparative half-year; and with investments in these services expected to be a continued priority, the annual growth rate has been revised upwards from 0.4 per cent to two per cent,” the report stated.
In 2011, Gy$1.5 billion was allocated to the water sector to ensure improved supply to the population.
According to the Mid- Year Report, Gy$504 million of that amount has been expended in the first half of the year.
Key accomplishments include the distribution of pipelines and the rehabilitation of five treatment plants at Central Ruimveldt, Lima, Vergenoegen, Cotton Tree and Queenstown.
The community outreach and awareness programme, H2O Kids ‘N’ Action Campaign, has continued from 2010, benefiting a total of 1,000 students from 11 schools, and is expected to be extended to 24 additional schools in the second half of the year.
With respect to the investment programme, Gy$227 million was expended under the Coastal, Linden and Hinterland programmes and in support of improvement of water quality and service to the public.
Works are underway on the Coastal Water Supply programme as well as the Hinterland Water programme and the Linden Water Supply programme, and communities are already benefiting from rehabilitation and construction works done to ensure more reliable supply of water.
The borehole construction activities in Onderneeming Scheme, Hope and Cotton Tree are projected to be completed in the second half of 2011. The second half of this year will also see the installation of 10 solar panels, the construction of 10 water trestles, and the installation of 3,000 new water meters.
“This consistent, favourable performance reflects the results of deliberate policy choices made over the years to build a more resilient economy; one that is more diversified and better equipped to withstand external shocks,” the report said.
