$14.8B invested to develop East Berbice housing schemes

The government has rolled out a $14.8 billion infrastructure programme to accelerate housing development at Providence, Glasgow, and Overwinning on the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six. The investment represents the first phase of works to prepare nearly 6,000 house lots allocated earlier this year.

The project includes land clearing and the construction of road and drainage networks, divided into 25 lots awarded to different contractors.

“The commencement date is in this very October and we’re looking for completion by the end of May for all of those beneficiaries to be able to have access or to see their lot,” Housing Minister Collin Croal said during a site visit on Friday.

He added, “I’m here to get an assessment of where we’re at, and also to reinforce […] the importance of ensuring we are meeting our deadlines.”

Favourable weather has allowed contractors to make steady progress, with work on the main access roads prioritised to accommodate heavy-duty vehicles.

Croal said part of the developed land will be reserved to meet future housing demand. “All the lots have not been allocated. We still have available lots, and some of this is going to be reserved for future housing programmes,” he noted.

Also present were Regional Chairman Junior Bassant, CH&PA Regional Housing Officer Diyaiyyih Dwarka, and engineers.