Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
Jagdeo promises money to end water woes at Dazzell
Cheers erupted at a church in Dazzell Housing Scheme yesterday when President Bharrat Jagdeo promised that the government would find the full amount needed to set up a water distribution network in the East Demerara community that has been plague with water shortage over the years.
Dazzell Housing Scheme, long seen as a neglected community by opposition political parties, has an estimated 600 households, but getting water has been a nightmare over the years.
Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, told the residents at the meeting yesterday that as of this week Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) would begin work to install stand pipes as an interim measure.
This announcement was greeted with screams of “again?” by residents.
Ali said that a proper distribution network would be developed in a phased manner. The plan was designed with the help of the area’s Cooperative Society. The Society has but $25 million to commit to the project, but setting up the network costs $60 million.
When Jagdeo took the microphone, he gave a commitment to provide the full amount necessary to set up the water network.
He asked the society if they have the materials Monday to start the work if the government hands over the money. This raised the enthusiasm level of residents longing for relief.
Then the President noted the presence of the media, naming Kaieteur News, and said he didn’t want it reported that he was giving out money before the budget was passed. So he told the residents they would get the money after that.
Only this week, Opposition Member of Parliament Aubrey Norton lamented that while the government provided water to the area behind Sparendaam where an elite group of Government functionaries, including the President, was building houses, communities like Dazzell were suffering a lack of water.
With the new initiatives being undertaken, Valerie Peters of the Cooperative Society, told residents they could be having water through their taps before the end of the year. The President urged the community to monitor the execution of the project.
Jagdeo commended residents for the fact that they came up with a solution to their water woes on their own, saying it was a “tremendous” accomplishment.
The President went to Dazzell Housing Scheme to distribute land titles.
There are an estimated 1, 022 residential lots in Dazzell, and Minister Ali said that 406 titles have been approved. The President handed out titles to those for whom land titles have been approved.
Residents of Dazzell Housing Scheme at the meeting
The President said that he was long aware of the “issues” surround the scheme. He committed to sending officials of the Ministry of Education to the community this week to explore the possibility of setting up a nursery school.
The President said that he would not commit to fixing the roads in the area until the water network is completed. This met with the approval of residents.
Dazzell Housing Scheme is one of the areas that the government has sought to regularise as part of a massive housing programme.
Jagdeo said an estimated 75,000 house lots have been allocated over the years, but the demand is still great.
He indicated that the reason why all the necessary infrastructure and services were not put into communities when they were set up is the cost. He said that it costs $500,000 to develop just one house lot.
The President said that an estimated 106 communities were developed, regularising areas that were squatter settlements.
The government is preparing to develop new areas on the East Bank Demerara. From Eccles to Mocha, an estimated 15,000 new house lots would be allocated, he said.
The new Diamond Housing Scheme could be joined to Georgetown, he added.
The government is currently extending the East Bank highway to Diamond.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Fingerprinting and Finger-Pointing
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- No one, not even the staunchest supporters of Guyana’s electoral process, would claim... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
