Guyanese note with gratitude, the gesture by the European Union which aids low-income earners to help them own their own homes.

We recognise the efforts by the Guyana Government to house the nation ever since it came into power in October 1992.

Guyanese note with a high degree of satisfaction that shortly after the elections, the PPP/C Government embarked on an ambitious housing plan and up to the end of last year, more than 50,000 house lots have been distributed across Guyana . Never before has any other Government achieved such a feat for the Guyanese people. Every year it has been making the quantum leap in providing house lots for Guyanese regardless of their colour or political persuasion.

The majority of the people appreciate the channeling of the latest funds for the provision of house lots in both housing schemes and squatter settlements.

Of particular interest is the pronouncement by Minister of Housing and Water Supply, Mr. Shaik Baksh who said the funds will also be used to provide basic infrastructure like roads, drainage and water supply for the owners of some 5,500 house lots, about 1,500 of which are located in squatter settlements.

Guyanese view the new housing project as one with a difference since it will not be only the provision of low-income house lots, but also households will benefit from the development of community services and initiatives assisted by non-governmental organisations and local authorities.

Special mention must also be made of the Euro 1M that is to be spent on infrastructure for micro enterprises and social activities such as community centres, facilities for solid waste management and playgrounds.

The Ministry of housing and Water supply must be commended for its dynamic housing programme which addresses the issue of the housing demand in the shortest possible time. The Government must also be saluted for its land divestment programme under which land is given to thousands of poor people in this country.

Guyanese note that the Government has been putting fabulous sums of money in the housing sector year after year and in 1999 alone it had spent over $200M.

The Government’s housing programme has been one with a history of growing success.

Between 1993 and 1997 some 13,000 house lots were distributed countrywide and in all regions. In 1998 alone through the reorganised Ministry of Housing and Water, the Government distributed over 8,000 house lots.

The Government’s land distribution policy has been on a non-discriminatory basis. This is substantiated when checked area for area and region for region.

Guyanese recall the economic decline of the mid 1970s and 1980s, which effectively put a halt to Government’s intervention in the housing sector. The then PNC Government, instead of facing the challenges in the housing sector, in confusion closed the Ministry of Housing, leaving their own supporters in the cold. However when the PPP/CIVIC took office, the Ministry of Housing was reestablished and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) reactivated pointing the way forward for the current dynamic housing drive.

Those who follow the housing success story will know that apart from providing house lots to the homeless, the Government also built more than 500 model houses for the low income people in all regions of this country including Regions 10, 2, 5, 4, and 6.