A citizen deplores the attitude of the Minister of Housing

Nov 06, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
As a citizen of Guyana, I wish to bring to your attention the unfair treatment projected by the Ministry of Housing and water. Since before the year 2003, my dad and his common law wife applied for a plot of land at the Central Housing and Planning Authority and were allocated a plot situated at lot No. 35, block 22 of Golden Grove housing Scheme. My dad however, was notified by the Ministry that he will not be able to access the plot at No. 35 Golden Grove since; the government of that time was in the process of creating new Housing Schemes across the country. He was then further notified by the CH&PA that he will be able to access and process documents for a plot allocated at Lot 1731, Ounderneeming, Phase 2 West Bank Demerara.
However, the relationship between my dad and his common law wife was not that much on good terms. Eventually it led to their separation, where she deserted my dad and five children in the year 2007, leaving him to provide and at the same time take up the responsibility of “fathering” and “mothering” three girls and two boys. My dad, with this great vision of a “good life for his children”, decided to seek the help of the Ministry of Housing to delete her name so that he can proceed with all necessary documents in order to approach the bank and commence construction of a home for his children, because it is the first asset he would have ever possess and pass on to his children. The Housing Ministry eventually turned him down and told him to go find her and bring her to sign the documents. He went on for two years, pleading and pleading to her to accompany him to sign whatever documents they had to sign.
CH&PA, sent him a letter after he had completed the full payment for the plot allocated, dated June 1st, 2010 inviting him at Lot 41 Brickdam & United Nations Place, to sign for the processing of Agreement of Sale and to sign legal documents for the processing of Certificate of Title. My dad decided to go but was upset to be turned down because his wife did not accompany him. Eventually he decided to take an “AFFIDAVIT” requesting deletion of name, but was yet again turned down by Housing. My dad got frustrated but did not mention a word of giving up. He continued pleading and pleading with his common law wife even though she was living with someone else and he also made an effort to publish a “Notice” in the Kaieteur News calling her to accompany him to sign the documents; but it was like throwing water on duck’s back. She also indicated to him that she has no interest in that plot of land and she’s not going to Housing Ministry for no documents. My dad continued going to the Ministry of Housing and Water to see what they can do for him and his children, but was continually turned down. Editor don’t you think if that woman was in the position as my dad, the Ministry would’ve surely done something to give her access to her documents?
I then decided to accompany my dad to the Ministry of Housing and Water, on November 3rd, 2015 and enquired what was really hindering the process, but it was the same old story of “you have to find her” or “else you will have to leave it just like that.” Or “you can commence building your house”. Editor, as a citizen and father with five children, don’t you think my dad should be given a fair chance of getting his documents without any hindrance. Don’t you think that the developments of his children, which our government termed youths of tomorrow, are being hindered by the action of the Ministry of Housing and Water? Editor, with the absence of a Certificate of Title (Transport), do you think an individual can access a loan from the bank to commence construction? An individual with five children and an income that can only sustain his/her daily sustenance cannot commence construction in this era.
I have recently learnt through one of the media houses, on November 2nd 2015, that the Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Mr. Keith Scott, are urging persons with house lots to start construction and has indicated that “no longer will the Ministry give ears to those who cry that they have not taken up their lot, because these housing areas are without adequate infrastructure and supporting facilities and amenities”. I know what the Minister is saying is quite commendable and contributes to the development of communities in Guyana. The Minister further posited in the article that, “….people cannot just come to us, get a house lot and just stay back and say that they are waiting for everything to be 100 percent”. But Editor, I would like the Minister to re-consider his thoughts and ponders on the causes and factors that hinder people from taking the opportunity of commencing construction and contribute to community development. The Minister should look at why so many people are not given access to documents due to the failure of one partner in honoring his/her duty when applying for a plot of land. I think the Minister should do something about it and helps the other partner in getting their documents so that they can access loans and commence constructions.
The Minister should also ponder why people cannot commence construction because the process of getting a plot of land takes about five years and in order for them to commence building they need another five to eight years to save and accumulate finances. Building a house is no easy task!
Anthony Alleyne

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