Do not fall for the PPP/C’s political gimmicks when it comes to the housing sector

Apr 23, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The circus at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) continues, where, once again, Guyanese are made the victims!

On Friday, April 11, 2025, the CHPA held its “Dream Realized” outreach at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Region 4, where hundreds of Guyanese were invited to receive land allocations and collect titles. The activity continued Saturday, April 12, and appeared to proceed relatively well, despite the lengthy wait citizens had to endure.

However, on Monday, April 14, the CHPA took the activity to region 3, where hundreds gathered with the expectation of receiving land allocations. Based on multiple videos circulating on social media, many of those who turned up left highly disappointed and felt misled by the Ministry. According to attendees, they were invited to the event and instructed to bring money to make down payments. But upon arrival, they discovered that the activity was primarily aimed at distributing land titles to existing allottees and issuing steel and cement vouchers, while only a limited number of allocations were reportedly made. It was disheartening to witness ordinary citizens, hopeful for land, subjected to such disorganization and poor communication.

Why did the Ministry invite everyone to converge at one venue, knowing fully well the event was not intended to facilitate land allocations on the promised scale? What an absurdity!

It is apparent that there are currently no available lands on the West Coast of Demerara for allocation. So why invite potential allottees only to hand them provisional letters? Several urgent questions arise:

1. How can provisional letters be issued when there is no available land?
2. Were applicants informed where lands are expected to be developed?
3. Was this clearly stated in the letters provided?

Editor, just three months ago, on January 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s end-of-year press conference, Minister Colin Croal openly stated: “Government [is] hunting for more housing lands after using up those available in several regions.” He further noted: “Region Three has also reached the limit of available lands on the West Coast of Demerara… that is why you see a consolidation at Wales. More lands are being made available there.” (Kaieteur News)

Yet, at Monday’s activity, Minister Croal told attendees: “For those persons who have pending housing applications, we are asking for your patience. Everyone will be served.” He then announced that all pending applications submitted before December 31, 2024, would receive allocation letters by the end of July (DPI, April 15, 2025). My analysis of the above statement is that the government is playing on the emotions of citizens. They are aware it’s an election year, and the spirit of deception seems to be their central strategy.

Just a few weeks ago, on April 1, I wrote a letter titled “PPP/C Government’s Housing Policy Was Too Ambitious.” Fifteen days later, I stand firmly by that position. What we are witnessing is a glaring lack of policy direction and strategic planning, through no fault of the citizens, but rather, those in government.

Guyanese must not fall into this web of deception. Provisional letters issued now, with no clear guarantee of delivery before September 2025, only raise further doubts. What recourse will citizens have after that date if their allocations don’t materialize? It is the PPP/C who promised 50,000 house lots within their five-year term, and they cannot—and will not—reach that target before the 2025 elections.

Moreover, the Ministry must rethink its strategy for issuing land titles. Why the unnecessary fanfare and centralization when regional offices can facilitate this process more efficiently? The current approach is a clear waste of time and public resources.

As I conclude, I repeat my earlier call from several months ago: the Ministry must publicly release, by region and year, the number of pending housing applications, housing schemes opened, and allocations made per scheme since August 2, 2020. A data-driven approach is essential for transparency and accountability. Ministers should not rely on vague estimates; the public deserves fair, accurate, and reliable reporting.

I also continue to advocate for a forensic investigation into the housing sector, specifically in the areas of land allocations, contract awards, land sales, title issuance, and the steel and cement subsidy programme.  Finally, I urge my fellow Guyanese: do not fall for the PPP/C’s political gimmicks when it comes to the housing sector.

Yours truly,

Annette Ferguson, MP

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• Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Housing Sector, political gimmicks, PPP/C

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