“Article 26 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana addressed the ‘right of every citizen to housing accommodation’. On returning to government, the PPP/C promised to allocate 50,000 house lots. While they are boasting that they will accomplish this, I will be proven right in 2025, that it was just another empty campaign promise.” So said Member of Parliament (MP) Annette Ferguson, who has parliamentary portfolio for housing and water.
Ferguson, in a letter to the press said on a visit to the housing scheme on the Eastern Carriageway of the Heroes Highway just before the 2024 budget debates, in January, she noted that the houses built by Surinamese contractors were unoccupied, despite being completed sometime late 2022 early 2023. “However, on my return visit earlier last week, I recognised that some of the houses were occupied predominantly by “Venezuelans,” and a few by persons who were previously living on the sea defence along Diamond, Coverden and Herstelling on the EBD.”
The MP highlighted that despite reports in the media, of government massive housing drive, from construction of houses to allocation of house lots, there are many complaints of discrimination and shoddy workmanship.
Drawing a contrast, Ferguson said the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) has proposed constructing rent to own houses for low-income workers who are unable to access loans to build decent accommodation.
Ferguson wants to see the Central Housing and Planning Authority CHPA carry out its mandate to address the housing needs of low-income citizens by facilitating access to affordable, sanitary, and safe living accommodation. She said the government could use the oil and gas wealth to improve the quality of life of the low income and working-class citizens. Doing that would, she said would be honouring the constitutional rights of citizens to housing accommodation.
See full letter below.
Dear Editor,
Kindly indulge me by publishing the images attached to my letter. As the adage says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I find it necessary to demonstrate to your readers what is happening in the Housing Sector and how ordinary Guyanese are being treated by the ‘caring” PPP/C administration.
Article 26 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana addressed the ‘right of every citizen to housing accommodation’. On returning to government, the PPP/C promised to allocate 50,000 house lots. While they are boasting that they will accomplish this, I will be proven right in 2025, that it was just another empty campaign promise.
Despite reports in the media, of their massive housing drive, from construction of houses to allocation of house lots, there are many complaints of discrimination and shoddy workmanship. Allegedly, many persons who paid for house lots since 2021 are yet to be given access; persons who were allocated lots by the Coalition between 2019 and 2020 in the Cummings Lodge area, were reallocated. Those who received lots in phases 114 and 115 in Providence, E.B.D were reallocated lots in Prospect, E.B.D. Allegedly, there is no quality assurance mechanism in place, so houses being sold are defective with loose fixtures, faulty electrical wiring and leaks, to mention a few. Homeowners are then expected to finance the necessary repairs and replacements. Editor, it is difficult for these homeowners, since many are making huge sacrifices to acquire their first home.
On a visit to the housing scheme on the Eastern Carriageway of the Heroes Highway just before the 2024 budget debates, in January, I noted that the houses built by Surinamese contractors were unoccupied, despite being completed sometime late 2022 early 2023. However, on my return visit earlier last week, I recognized that some of the houses were occupied predominantly by “Venezuelans,” and a few by persons who were previously living on the sea defence along Diamond, Coverden and Herstelling on the EBD. Close by, my attention was drawn to several shacks with no sanitary blocks in the area. I was informed that those residents, who were previously residing on the sea defence in several areas, were allocated house lots, in the Great Diamond area, at the unaffordable cost of $300,000.
Editor, the Coalition proposed constructing rent to own houses for low-income workers who are unable to access loans to build decent accommodation. CHPA needs to carry out its mandate to address the housing needs of low-income citizens by facilitating access to affordable, sanitary, and safe living accommodation. The PPP/C must use our oil wealth to improve the quality of life of the low income and working-class citizens.
They must honour the constitutional rights of citizens to housing accommodation. Additionally, I am appealing on behalf of ordinary Guyanese, who have purchased houses built by CHPA using private Contractors, to FIX ALL defects on buildings in Prospect, EBD, Great Diamond, EBD and Providence, EBD. Residents reported that complaints were made, promises were given, and many are still to be addressed.
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP