– another 1600 allotted at Farm, East Bank Demerara
BY SABATINI DANIELS
Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said there has been a significant shift in the average age of landowners in Guyana due to the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) one stop shops.
Speaking at the seventh One Stop Shop for the year at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday, where in excess of 1600 house lots were distributed to Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. The minister stated that years ago persons in their 50s and 60s retired without owning their own homes, or lands, describing the one stop shops as a “life transformational activity”.
Average landowner
“I am very happy to say today that the situation has changed to such the extent that the average landowner or homeowner is well below 35 years old, you have persons who are 23, 24 and 25 who already own their own home and land… this is a tremendous accomplishment.”
He stated that the previous investment policy did not target home and land ownership as important elements of social transformation, noting that this is the reason government has spent a tremendous amount of time and resources in ensuring the social sector was renovated.
“We have shown our commitment and, or effectiveness in delivering housing and living solutions for families and people all across this country.”
Moving to Farm Housing Scheme, Ali disclosed that government will invest in excess Gy$1.6 billion for infrastructural works and electricity in the area which will create 1695 new house lots that will benefit almost 7000 persons directly.
This means that for every person living in a household, government will be investing on their behalf Gy$220,000.
“There are a lot of people who say when government sell this land, they are making a big surplus, that is not the case, the total revenue that will be derived from the sales of all these lots would be Gy$838 million as against an investment of Gy$1.6 billion… the government will subsidise the scheme by almost 45 percent.”
Agreement of sale
Ali also reminded persons that there is a clause in the agreement of sale which states that, if any person is discovered to have misrepresented any information on his/her application, monies paid will be forfeited and no house lot will be granted. President Donald Ramotar noted that government has also halted the taxes it receives from banks so that Guyanese can enjoy cheaper mortgage rates.
He said there are many issues in society which can affect all the measures the government has put in place to benefit homes owners, noting that the administration will need everyone’s support. Subsequently, he made reference to the passage of the money laundering bill as one of these issues which needs to be tackled.
“This bill is to bring our legislation at the same level as the rest of the Caribbean legislation to fight against money laundering and drug trafficking… to close all the loopholes where people are getting illicit funds.”
He stated that failure to pass the bill will result in many banks having serious problems in doing business in Guyana and will have a “snowballing” effect on the economy as a whole.
