Mabaruma Residents Receive House Lot Allocations in New Housing Scheme

More than 50 residents of Mabaruma, Region One, have received residential house lot allocations in the newly established Tract ‘A’ Mabaruma housing scheme.

The allocations were made during a housing drive hosted at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound by the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

According to the Ministry’s statement on Tuesday, among the beneficiaries was Lensil Robinson, a father of one, who expressed his excitement about owning land for the first time.

“I am happy because you get a chance to own something for yourself and if you got children they can inherit it,” Robinson said.

Another recipient, Gena Wells, shared that she had waited eight years for a house lot.

She said she was thrilled about the opportunity to build a better home for her family.

Similarly, mother of two Melrose Pritchard said, “Owning my own land means I can actually have my kids looking forward to something in the future.”

She further praised the smoothness of the allocation process and commended the government’s efforts.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said the initiative forms part of the government’s commitment to bridging development gaps between hinterland and coastal regions.

Since 2020, more than 90 new housing areas have been developed and approximately 48,000 house lots have been allocated under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

“We are working nonstop to ensure that we bring betterment to our people,” Minister Croal stated.

He noted that beneficiaries of the new Mabaruma scheme will be able to access their lands by the end of the year, as land clearing is already in progress.

Plans are also underway to establish a CH\&PA regional office and appoint a regional housing officer to enhance service delivery in Region One.

Minister Croal acknowledged the challenges associated with accessing land in Mabaruma, pointing out that much of the available land falls under private estates or the jurisdiction of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).

Despite these hurdles, the development of Tract ‘A’ marks the second major housing initiative in Mabaruma, following the Kokerital Hill scheme established during a previous PPP/C administration.

Residents at the housing drive also accessed services from CH&PA’s Conveyance Unit, Legal Unit, Planning and Settlement Development Department, and Community Development Department.

The Ministry is expected to take its housing outreach next to Port Kaituma in the Matarkai sub-region, where allocations will be made in another new housing scheme.

Attending the event were CH&PA Director of Operations Denise King-Tudor, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Vice-Chairperson Annansha Peters, Regional Executive Officer Sewchand, Deputy REO Shem Cuffy, and Mayor of Mabaruma Trevi Leung.

Regional Chairman Ashley welcomed the initiative, stating, “Our President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his government are working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the coastland and the hinterland in providing the same levels of opportunities.”