Georgetown: In excess of 5000 thousand applications have been received for the ‘Re-migrant Housing Scheme’ programme, according to Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali.
The minister said that the scheme, which is located in Providence, East Bank Demerara is another indication of Government’s commitment to provide housing for all Guyanese at home and abroad.
He pointed out that even though overseas based Guyanese may not be interested in moving back, having ownership of a property within the scheme will bring revenues into the country.
“Even if the overseas based Guyanese use their secondary homes, what that does is it creates employment for gardeners and housekeepers; they have to furnish their homes; they have to get security, and they have to utilise gas, electricity and water. These consumption levels will build the economy and creates spending,” he stated.
The Remigrant Housing Scheme is located north of the Mocha Main Road, about one mile east of the Providence Police Station compound, E.B.D. The lots range from 6000 to 9000 square feet, with prices between $4.5 million and $7 million. Interested remigrants had to be Guyanese over 21-years of age and do not have ownership of homes here. The applications are available online.
Minister Ali was at the time speaking against the backdrop of the East Bank Demerara corridor undergoing a massive transformation. He was at the time addressing a gathering at the commissioning ceremony of the Unicomer multi-million dollar distribution facility at Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D.
He explained that Government has invested some $10 billion as part of an extended plan to create new opportunities for businesses to expand their services. The minister noted one such project is the development of Eccles Industrial Site which housed several housing schemes and industrial companies.
Ali pointed out that the area has been designed to have mild commercial activities in front while the major ones will be at the back, where the distribution centre is located.
“The reason why this area has been designated for this purpose is because of its close proximity to the low income housing and the middle income housing. Thus the creation of employment and the reduction of transportation cost to get to your place of employment”, he remarked.
The minister went onto say that the private sector has been taking advantage of the opportunities available at the area and it is estimated that they invest more than US$200 million in projects at the location.
The East Bank Demerara corridor is home to one of the country’s most developed community and several developing housing schemes. The Diamond scheme is considered one of the most, if not the most, developed community along the East Bank. It currently housed three major commercial banks, a fire station, a diagnostic centre, a secondary and primary nursery schools and a gas station with a food court.
Additionally under the turn key project, the ministry launched the 1000 homes project. This project is seeing increasing interests from persons, particularly those who fall within the low and middle income bracket.
The initial first phase of the Turn Key Project has cost close to G$200 million. From the 1000 projects, some 800 low income and 200 middle income families are expected to benefit. The project’s overall contribution to the economy stands at $4 billion while, the loan portfolio to the banking sector is expected to increase by $4.8 billion over the expected two-year period.
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