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We have regular ized six areas, and reduced squatter settlements from nineteen to thirteen.
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Ferguson should provide to Housing Ministry evidence of illegal sale of house lots
Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Housing and Water takes note of a letter written by Coalition member Annette Ferguson, “Half of the PPP/C’s house lots’ allocations were inherited from the Coalition Government.”
These are the facts:
During its lethargic tenure in Government - from 2015 to 2020 – the Coalition developed three housing schemes: at Peter’s Hall, Prospect Track ‘E’, and Providence 125, where 279, 186 and 1258 house lots were developed. In its five years in Government, the Coalition allocated a total of 7,534 house lots and regularised no new areas.
When we assumed Government, we inherited a backlog of 75,509 applications. There was a dire need for new housing areas, for infrastructural development of existing housing areas, and urgent need for house lots. Therefore, the PPP/C’s manifesto promise, and the subsequent mandate of the Ministry of Housing and Water, sought to bring immediate relief to this burden.
From August 2020 to end of
December 2022, we have:
1. Allocated over 20,500 house lots. 2. Established 44 new housing areas. 3. Upgraded and installed infrastructure in 43 existing housing areas. 4. Built 827 houses (low and moderate-income and young professional), with a further 527 in progress. The investment cost for these houses is pegged at more than seven billion dollars. 5. We have regularized six areas, and reduced squatter settlements from nineteen to thirteen. 6. We have processed and distributed 4256 certificates of title and transports.
These are indisputable facts.
We also note with concern the allegation and accusation made by Ms. Ferguson regarding the illegal sale of house lots. We ask Ms. Ferguson to provide the Ministry of
True story of vendors who were blocking hospital’s entrance
Dear Editor,
The clearing of the roadway leading to the Public Hospital has been given a racist spin by the PNC and its supporters, like Dr David Hinds of the USA. For the PNC to take such a position weakens the credibility of the party, since people who live here know that there is nothing of the kind.
The true story is as follows: (i) About 20 vendors have been illegally occupying the roadway leading to the entrances of the Georgetown Public Hospital. This illegal occupation of New Market Street and East Street has blocked ambulances with sick persons and accident victims who were bleeding or had heart attacks and could have died before receiving medical help.
The Hospital Administration had been writing the Mayor and City Council for over a year, pleading with them to clear the streets, as it was their legal duty. The M&CC instead brazenly began to collect rent from the vendors, and ignored the Hospital. No one knows in whose pockets this rent money has been placed. (ii) The ambulance medics have bitterly complained that accident victims and other emergency patients could bleed to death, since it only takes 4 minutes for one to die from bleeding, and those with heart attacks are usually at death’s door.
Dr Hinds and the PNC should show some compassion, concern and sympathy for these suffering sick people, since these are mostly poor African Guyanese people who cannot afford the private hospitals, instead of supporting the law-breaking vendors and attacking the Police by saying the Police are harassing African-Guyanese vendors! (iii) At the Xmas season, the roads became more congested with cars and people crowding the stalls, and the Police had to act in this emergency; it was different during non-holiday season. At the Xmas season, many would have died because they could not reach the hospital. (iv) The PNC, Dr Hinds, and other PNC supporters should stop the hypocrisy and cease defending those who reject the rule of law; and stop losing political support when they support 20 vendors against 2000 suffering.
Your sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan
Housing with evidence that she has in her possession, so that we can launch an investigation into her claims. In the interim, we wish to remind applicants that there is no intermediary needed or authorised by the Ministry of Housing, or the CHPA, to facilitate ownership of a house lot.
Yours sincerely, Collin D Croal Minister of Housing and Water
No complaints in Wakenaam about dirty water, use of trench water
Dear Editor,
A customer survey by GWI field and office staff has found no complaints about dirty water, or customers using trench water for domestic purposes at Wakenaam.
Indeed, customers at Wakenaam understand there is a high iron content in the water, above WHO standards, and that GWI would shortly commence construction of a water treatment plant on the island. Customers have also expressed satisfaction with the level of service being received across the island, which is 15ft to 20ft high.
GWI CEO Mr Shaik Baksh has condemned allegations made by Mr Glen Lall about dirty water being supplied to residents, and sees this as part of an agenda to mislead and distract the public on important developments taking place in the country, including at GWI.
A new well was completed in 2022, and His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressed the community by saying, “Water quality and treatment is major on our agenda, and, as such, residents will receive the best quality”.
In relation to water quality plans, programmes have been outlined to improve same over the next two years. During a press briefing, CEO Mr. Shaik Baksh announced, “GWI has improved access to water to 97 percent, owing to investment by the Government of Guyana, where over 15,000 persons along the coastland and hinterland have benefitted in the year 2022”.
Sincerely, Public Relations Team Guyana Water Inc
