Georgetown: Residents of La Parfaite Harmonie, a new housing area on the West Bank of Demerara have full access to a 3.5 kilometre road built at a cost of over $604 million.
The La Parfaite Harmonie Highway was commissioned on Saturday by President Donald Ramotar and Housing Minister Irfaan Ali.
The highway is opened to two-lane traffic and leads to the six communities that makes up the La Parfaite Housing Scheme.
The land that was used to construct the road was acquired by the Government free of cost from a private owner and was built by all local contractors.
Minister Ali said the Government has been investing in the development of La Parfaite Harmonie and Region Three by extension. According to the Minister, since the year 2000, Government has invested some $15 billion in the community which saw some 8000 lots and 40,000 residents benefiting. He noted that an average of $2 million was invested per house lots.
He noted that the key projects ongoing include the upgrading of 20 kilometres of roads to asphaltic concrete surface.
“The total investment in housing in Region Three since the year 2000 to date is more than G$13 billion. This Government, your Government has spent more than $30 million in Region Three in the last 14 years to improve housing in Region Three,” the Minister said.
He noted that concerns were raised about security along the highway and Government has since put arrangements in place.
“The Guyana Police Force working with the private sector has already constructed a 40-foot container Police outpost and we’re going to put that outpost at the head of the road so that we can have security at the entrance and exits,” he said.
In addition, Ali said work is set to commence on another 20 kilometres of roads in the community.
Ali said his Government is one that delivers. He went on to say that the President had earmarked $1 billion for the Rural Enterprise Development, and under this programme, Government is looking at building a call centre in La Parfaite Harmonie that will see approximately 300 residents gaining employment.
Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar, delivering the feature address noted that road is expected to improve the daily lives of residents as it will be less time consuming for commuters while at the same time ensuring productivity.
“This road will make you feel as if you are living directly in Georgetown, because the time that you will take to get to your destination will be cut tremendously and that is important in many regards, it will help not only to make it more convenient… but I anticipate it will help with production and productivity as well,” President Ramotar said.
The President added that Government has invested a lot in the development of Region Three as he pointed out that a study is currently being conducted for another location to cross the Demerara River.
Central Planning and Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Myrna Pitt told the residents gathered that her agency is committed to the development of La Parfaite Harmonie through ongoing infrastructural works.
“This scheme already has facilities such as a primary school, health centre and a multipurpose community centre. With the construction of a secondary school to commence shortly at Westminster,” Pitt added.
She disclosed that five acres of land was identified for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to design and construct a Water Treatment Plant that will serve the West Bank area.
The Chief Executive Officer noted that plans for the construction of a polyclinic are also in the works. She mentioned too that lands for a Police station, Magistrate’s court, and commercial and industrial areas to provide employment, have been singled out.
“The Central Authority is also committed to working in partnership with residents to develop La Parfaite,” she stated.
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