Guyana_Chronicle_Building_Expo_Supplement_2022 by Guyana Chronicle

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Message from His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana GUYANA has been successful in addressing urbanisation. The available statistics show that between 1992 and 2011, the degree of urbanisation reduced continu-

ously. Our success during this period was by no means accidental, but was due to deliberate efforts by the Government of Guyana to embark on an

ambitious housing programme. Over 100,000 house lots were distributed, and several housing schemes were enhanced with economic infrastructure to

create jobs and equipped with social facilities to ensure that beneficiaries had access to high quality social goods and services, such as health care, water and sanitation, education,

and recreation. This building expo is proof of our government’s commitment to the people of this great nation. The need for visionary and transforma-

tional leadership is critical at this point. The Government remains committed to providing urbanized and efficient c o m m u n i t i e s a c ro s s Guyana.

Message from Hon. Collin Croal, Minister of Housing and Water

GUYANA’S emerging oil and gas sector coupled with the explosion of the construction sector has brought new demands for more modern designs and sustainable options for office spaces and houses. This obvious dynamism is due, in large part, to our government’s direct interventions to lift the sector out of its once stagnant state. Our commitment to provide affordable housing for the citizens of Guyana is not partisan. We

know that the Guyana we envision cannot be built in isolation. Therefore, International Building Expo 2022- A

new frontier for building ‘A One Guyana’ provides an ideal platform for Government and local and international stakeholders to create and build new synergies which will propel the housing sector. Our intention is to provide new options for home builders, and introduce cutting edge technology and eco-friendly building materials that will accelerate our housing and infrastructure drive. Building Expo 2022 will put investors, contractors, home builders

and financial institutions in the same space where challenges, constraints and opportunities can be freely ventilated. Since the return of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to office, the Ministry of Housing and Water has implemented measures that make home ownership easier for everyone. We have allocated more than eleven thousand house lots to low-, moderate- and high-income applicants and engaged the

banking sector on more affordable mortgages. We have committed to establishing housing developments that include urban amenities such as parks, schools, and other recreational facilities. We have also collaborated with the local private sector to reduce the cost of building materials. These, and other similar measures, have resulted in a surge in construction across the country. I have no doubt that the products that will be showcased and the ser-

vices offered will be in high demand by consumers. It is my hope that this Building Expo will change the way we approach construction and be a catalyst for the introduction of new and innovative building and construction practices. Thank you for your participation. Our team will ensure that you have a memorable experience. I’m looking forward to meeting each of you, do enjoy Guyana’s International Building Expo 2022!

Message from Hon. Susan M. Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water

A F T E R p ro l o n g e d stagnation, the housing sector has been revitalised and rejuvenated under our government. We have fulfilled all of the commitments and targets of our first year in office, including the allocation of 10,000 house lots. Our focus has been primarily on helping our citizens achieve home

ownership through policy measures, such as zero-rating locally produced building materials, increasing the mortgage interest relief ceiling from $15 to $30 million, and facilitating the increase of the low-income loan ceiling from $8 to $15 million, among others. We also embarked on an aggressive hous-

ing construction drive which has seen 842 low, moderate and young professional homes being constructed in just nineteen months. We have expended $ 20 billion in creating new housing schemes and upgrading existing schemes thus far, and plan to invest a further $10 billion in 2022. This massive investment in

infrastructure and housing construction is directly reflected in the 29.8 per cent recorded growth in the construction sector for 2021 and $5 billion increase in real estate loans issued by commercial banks. With our established track record in providing affordable housing, the people of our country can look forward to

what will be, possibly, the largest transfer of wealth from government to people as we fulfil our promise of 50,000 house lots by the end of our first term. I am pleased, therefore, to exhibit the work of the ministry and its partners in the private sector at the International Building Expo 2022.

‘Silica City is happening’ 3

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

– President Ali reaffirms

— urges local businesses to position themselves to reap benefits PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed that ‘Silica City,’ a secondary city slated for the Soesdyke-Linden Highway which will help to relieve the burden from an overpopulated Georgetown, “is going to happen” and has urged local entrepreneurs to align themselves to play a role in the development of the project. Silica City is the brainchild of President Ali, who, in 2013 while he held the position of Minister of Housing and Water during the tenure of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, had proposed its establishment. “Silica City is going to happen; I’m telling you it’s going to happen and the opportunities which will come with Silica City will

President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivering the keynote address at the GMSA’s 26th Annual Presentation of Awards Ceremony held at the Ramada Princess Hotel, at Providence, East Bank Demerara

be mind-blowing. We are oversubscribed with investors who want to come in and build Silica City,” President Ali said in his keynote address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA) 26th Annual Presentation of Awards Ceremony, at the Ramada Princess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara, in December 2021. Against this backdrop, the Head of State urged local businesses to position themselves to benefit from the “mind-blowing” opportunities which will flow from the project, by forming partnerships and consortiums to help with development of the project. “We have a golf course as part of Silica City. Why 100 of you can’t come to us and say we want to do the

golf course?” the Head of State asked, while urging the entrepreneurs to pool their resources together, and shy away from seeing each other only as competitors, to build the capacity necessary for major projects. “If we have 25 small and medium-sized machining shops that could come together and bring their resources together and create one large machining shop that could take the jobs that big industries are taking… [then] that immediately takes the country on another scale,” President Ali said. “Yes, the family businesses are good, but time is changing; circumstances are changing, and if 10 small businesses can come together and take away 30

per cent share in that market, aren’t they better off? There is better competitive advantage,” he added. Guyana currently has one city, Georgetown, which is the centre of economic activities. However, a report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had noted that Georgetown could be under water by 2030. With Guyana slated for massive growth and development as a result of its burgeoning oil and gas sector and other productive sectors, local authorities have been urging existing and potential stakeholders to look at investment opportunities outside of Georgetown, so as to ensure that advancement is widespread.

surement, and even though it costs more, the overall factors such as time-saving and costing would be saved, as well as human resources. “It is my assumption that this machine will do more than just be a part of the housing sector; I anticipate we’re going to have to get more of this in the country, because this particular one can print a two-storey house, but they also have machines that, when configured, can go as high as four storeys,” Minister Rodrigues said. “They can even be involved in the expansion of the private sector. Big construction of apartment buildings and hotels and so on, that they can eventually get to. So, they’ll play a lot bigger role, not only in the housing sector, but in the infrastructure sector, possibly in the construction of concrete drains and roads and highways and so on,” the Minister added. Noting also that the process will be much faster than the traditional construction

methods, Minister Rodrigues said, “In the housing sector, we have a very big mandate in terms of house lots and house construction. “And so, we’ll need to employ the use of modern technology in order to ensure that we deliver on our targets, not only in the housing sector, but in terms of infrastructure, generally, for the future of our country,” she continued. Chief Operations Officer of Black Buffalo 3D, Todd Grimm, said that with the machine, an overall 20 to 30 per cent cost reduction will be seen in the construction of houses. “When it prints a house, it doesn’t print doors and windows and so on, but what it does is it prints the exterior and interior walls of that facility. “So, what you’re able to do is take a foundation that’s pre-existing, and go on top of that and print a home,” Grimm said. He related that up to 1,200 square feet can be printed in about 20 to 30

hours, but the machine’s daily limit is 16 hours. “That home would actually take about US$13,000 worth of concrete materials to print, which is quite a substantial reduction than what you see from a normal home,” Grimm said. He added: “Not only that, but the waste factor that is also built from normal construction is extremely high. This type of waste that we save is reusable, because you can recycle concrete and reuse it.” He said that the reduction in waste from regular construction to 3D printing of a house is 60 to 40 per cent. The strength of the normal concrete masonry units (CMU) block wall, he said, has a pound per square inch (PSI) of about 2,800 to 3,200 in compression, but the printed walls were tested and proven to be 7,500 PSI after 15 days, and 10,000 PSI after a full cure in 28 days, which, he said is as strong as a highway.

Low-cost house to be ‘printed’ in three days at Building Expo

OWING to the high demand for houses, a private company, Maraiko Bay, has imported a three-dimensional (3D) printer, which it will use to build model homes for the upcoming ‘International Building Expo’, and, subsequently, construct houses at reduced costs. Leo Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Maraiko Bay, said the company decided to examine the opportunity of 3D printing, which, it hopes, will also be used for national housing projects and other future projects such as Silica City, highways and drains. Powell made the remarks while accompanied, recently, by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues and other officials from that ministry on an inspection of the exhibition site at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), where the Building Expo will be held. He said his company will be printing a housing structure live during the three-day

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, engages the media following an inspection of the ongoing work for International Building Expo 2022 (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

exposition to show that within three days, a house plan could be completely printed by the machine. “We hope to give you guys a well-deserved display

of what modern technology can provide in the urban development housing sector,” Powell said. Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues related that the printer, while on display at the ‘expo’, will print the ministry’s 600-square-foot low-income model home. “[I]t’s a simple process where you have the blueprint, and you put that chip into the machine, and the machine automatically is programmed to print out that particular house. So, that house will be constructed here, or, as we say in construction terminology, printed using this technology over the three days that the public will be here,” Minister Rodrigues said. As the minister went on to explain, if a person tries to build the exact house as the printer, using traditional methods, it would cost them far more than it would using the machine. She said, too, that the machine is at an international standard in terms of pound per square inch (PSI) mea-

3,800 acres of land identified for creation of new city

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

– upper East Bank Demerara area will cater for over 50,000 persons – with plans to develop over 3,000 house lots within five years, says Minister Croal

WITHIN the next five years, the government will be moving to develop over 3,000 house lots at an area along the upper East Bank of Demerara, as part of its plans to establish a new urban district called Silica City. It is envisaged that the area, once developed, will be home to over 50,000 persons within the next 20 years. The plan for the establishment of this new city was outlined by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in the National Assembly, during budget debate earlier this year. According to Minister Croal, some 3,800 acres of state lands within the Soesdyke and Timehri areas have already been identified for immediate development. The intention behind this

project is to create an urban centre which would supplement Georgetown. Silica City, he said, as conceptualised in 2013, is envisaged to tackle the issue of non-coastal urban settlement development and the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels. It is also important for urgent attention to be given to the development of Silica City, since a non-coastal urban settlement which has various services and amenities, would attract investment, create employment, and offer alternative urban settlement. The vision for Silica City, Croal said, is to have a vibrant, sustainable, resilient and modern city, which is in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy, Guyana’s international commitments (Paris Agreement and

A panoramic view of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway looking east

UNFCC) and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The “smart city” approach, the Housing Minister noted, is proposed for creating a new city that is compact, pedestrian-oriented, energy-efficient, interconnected and sustainable, comfortable, attractive and secure. A key area of focus, he added, is the preservation and enhancement of the valuable, natural and cultural resources of the area. Further, Minister Croal related that a preliminary

development concept was completed, identifying the key features of the smart city approach in terms of residential and non-residential development, transport and infrastructure, sustainable urban drainage, conservation and tourism district, waste management, alternative energy, technological aspects and agriculture. Consultations, he told the House, are ongoing with the utility companies to coordinate the development of their infrastructure, since it is anticipated that a shared

utility corridor will cater for all utilities to be routed underground. Minister Croal detailed designs are being prepared for a golf course/resort facility and an eco-industrial park. Further, streetscape designs are also underway. Additionally, he said designs will commence this year for a first phase housing development within the proposed residential zone of the new city, after the block and topographic surveys are completed.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Construction, sale of ‘condos’ to be regularised

— with passage of new law for condominiums

THE landmark passage of the Condominium Bill No.4 of 2022 in the National Assembly, in May, serves as a form of “rescue” for a number of Guyanese, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips had said. In outlining the need for this new piece of legislation, the Prime Minister told the House then that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government was forced to introduce the Bill because of the significant number of complaints from citizens who were allocated duplexes under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration. “The APNU+AFC Government, sometime between 2015 and 2017, had a bright idea of constructing duplexes as an initiative to provide housing to Guyanese, but as is typical of the APNU+AFC, no idea is ever well thought out and the people were left to

face the consequences of their incompetence,” the Prime Minister said. He said the previous coalition administration implemented a duplex housing project without supportive policies and regulations. “Imagine giving houses to people looking forward to home ownership, only for those persons to find out that there is absolutely no law that provides any protection for their hard-earned money which they invested…

and not being able to even be granted a title to show for their accomplishment of home ownership and security for themselves and future generation,” the Prime Minister noted. Persons who occupy the homes are not the only ones facing the difficulties, but banks and private investors too were affected. “The lack of legal framework hindered banks from being able to provide support to many, especially young

people and poor families who needed loans. “Private investors, too, who explored this avenue for investment, also found it difficult as the law simply did not exist, but yet we had a government offer this to the people,” Prime Minister Phillips lamented. The passage of the bill creates the basis for condominiums to be built and sold with access to services from banks, insurance companies, and, more importantly, for titles to be granted for individual home ownership as stipulated by law. With six parts and 65 clauses, the bill makes provision for the horizontal and vertical subdivision of land and buildings into units for individual ownership, and for the use and management of condominiums. Clause 44 empowers unit owners to insure their respective units. The bill also stipulates that proposed declarations and descriptions of

units be approved by the minister before a condominium is constructed, or before an existing building is converted into a condominium. It also empowers the minister to approve, reject or direct the amendment of a proposed declaration and description. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in his presentation to the National Assembly, said, then, that prior to the bill being brought to the House, there were several consultations held with stakeholders in the housing sector, including banking institutions and insurance companies, among others. Minister Croal said that, in addition to the situation created by the past administration, the government recognised that the demand for housing was concentrated in urban areas and, as such, a challenge to develop new housing areas arose. FOREIGN INTEREST

He related that a number of foreigners and expatriates who have been coming into Guyana have also been seeking to have more modern options for housing, such as townhouses, apartments and condos. That, Croal had told the House, caused a number of foreign investors to express their interest in constructing condominiums in Guyana. “While we welcome the interest, it was clear to us that we needed to amend, repeal and replace the current laws to provide a clear legislative landscape for the establishment and the regulation of condominium schemes,” the Housing and Water Minister said. Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, had said, in her contribution, that the bill was in keeping with the government’s commitment to update and modernise the country’s legal framework.

E&A Consultants Inc.: A father’s continuing legacy

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

By Shari Simon

RECOGNISED as one of the oldest engineering and architectural companies operating in Guyana, E&A Consultants Incorporated continues to build on the legacy of its late founder, Anand E.T. Dharry, by enhancing local infrastructure development across the country. Dharry initially started the company 28 years ago after his return to Guyana from Trinidad and Tobago. His goal, then, was to invest his considerable expertise into innovatively bridging each of the specialised areas in engineering and architecture to design and, ultimately, construct essential buildings and facilities for daily use. “Right now, our primary purpose of being in business is to support Guyana’s growth,” shared Anasha Ally, the Executive Director (ED) at E&A Consultants Inc. and one of Dharry’s children. Following his death eight years ago, Ally took over

E&A’s teammates at an event Anasha Ally, Executive Director at E&A Consultants Inc. (E&A Consultants Inc. photos)

ronmentalists and inspectors. Since its founding, E&A Consultants Inc. offers a wide range of services that span architectural design, architectural surveys, land and river surveys, geotechnical surveys, and project management, in addition to a variety of environmental services, to

state-of-the-art architectural structures currently visible across Guyana’s changing landscape. Apart from this, all projects typically involve meticulous designing, constructing and supervising. The company, to date, has successfully completed proj-

A building constructed by E&A Consultants Inc

managing the company’s operations, sharing management responsibilities now with her sister, Anameka (the company’s Technical Director), and her brother David (the Operations Director). The company, Ally explained, has a 45-member team, which comprises civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, surveyors, AutoCAD (Computer-Aided Design) technicians, envi-

name a few. Throughout the years, E&A Consultants Inc. has progressed to collaborate with several local, regional and international companies across sectors. These projects, Ally noted, required extensive technical skills and knowledge from the team in the overall execution process and include some of the buildings, roads, bridges and other

ects for mainly state agencies and regional organisations. Most recently, companies within the oil and gas sector have also contracted the firm. Additionally, some of E&A’s major projects include the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and East Coast of Demerara (ECD) road projects, solar panel system installations on local buildings, and river and sea defence projects in the three counties.

The company is currently part of the supervision of two sub-projects at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Rudolph Anthony, Senior Engineer and Project Manager, said each project carried out by E&A Consultants Inc. has a designing and supervision stage, which entails meeting with clients to determine how best their needs can be met. Depending on the nature of the project, different area specialists within the team then execute parts of the projects before ultimately completing it and delivering it to the client. Health and safety are paramount to the company as it strives to ensure that its team adheres to strict safety protocols and procedures, particularly as it relates to safety attire, operating machinery, and other mandatory rules and regulations associated with the subject areas in which they operate. “Majority of our projects have an environmental input in every aspect as it relates to construction,” Ally noted, while underscoring the company’s commitment to ensuring projects are always completed in an environmentally-sustainable manner. By aiming to revolutionise the local engineering and architecture environment, particularly given the onset of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, E&A Consultants Inc. has taken the decision to participate as an exhibitor in the ‘International Building Expo 2022’ in July. The international expo is hosted by the Ministry of

Housing and Water at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. “We have never participated in a building exhibition that was held in prior years; however, this year, what we can provide to markets has grown enormously and it will be very good to make ourselves known to the public,” Ally highlighted. She added: “there is a lot

Nonetheless, as E&A Consultants Inc. prepares to attain its ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems certification, it is also looking to expand its operations. Introducing newer specialised technologies that can perform advanced architectural three dimensional (3D) designing and printing, ensuring certifications for improving its drone, footage

6 Sea defence, drainage and irrigation built by the company

more we have to offer, like hotels, hospitals, and new schools, bridges and land development scheme.” For the company, the building exhibition is an excellent opportunity to promote its services that are crucial to the building and construction sectors in Guyana, develop strategic partnerships with other businesses, whether local or foreign, and network with potential clients to enhance its clientele.

reconnaissance, and surveying are all future plans of the company. The contracting firm is also looking to open operations in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to complement its Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) operation. E&A Consultants Inc. continues to carry the formidable legacy of Dharry.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Local company builds unique ‘tech’ brand for rising demand By Shari Simon

AT 22 years old, Shridat Singh started his first business repairing computers and selling computer accessories. His deep-seated fondness, as a child, for all things electronic, eventually motivated him to open a small store in October 2009 with an extended service portfolio that included selling mobile phones as well as other electronic devices and electrical equipment. After experiencing several robberies that could have convinced him to quit, Singh decided to include security surveillance systems as an additional service. Now, Singh has turned his start-up business into a thriving conglomerate operating under the trade name, Viscom. His businesses are: Viscom Electronics, Viscom Security Solutions Incorporated, and Viscom Services. For a while, Singh balanced having a full-time job and running the business, before taking the bold step to become a dedicated entrepreneur. “Viscom Security Solutions handles everything security-related. We offer IP [Internet Protocol] camera

Viscom Security Solutions owner, Shridat Singh

with the Guyana Chronicle. He further highlighted that “the company also offers video intercom installations for homes and offices, clock-in clock-out systems for businesses, payroll systems, office network set-ups, to name a few.” Singh pointed out that

of camera qualities from two megapixels (2MP) to eight megapixels (8MP) ranging from four-camera setup systems to 100 camera setup systems. Meanwhile, Viscom Services focuses on providing air conditioning units, installation and maintenance.

Installing a surveillance system on a local building

systems, home alarm systems that can be installed on private homes and commercial businesses, [and] access control installations that are those magnetic locks found on doors such as swipe card systems and finger print systems,” explained Singh during a recent interview

given the rapid rise of technological advancement, many people are opting to switch from analog camera systems to IP camera systems, which are the newer and modern camera types. As such, Viscom Security Solutions Inc. provides IP camera systems in a variety

The entire business, to date, serves its growing clientele from three locations: Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and in the capital city, Georgetown. Singh revealed that the security arm of the business does not operate on a retail basis but rather serves small,

medium and large-scale commercial businesses. Well on its way to ensuring easy accessibility and affordability to the latest security and safety technologies, Viscom Security Solutions Inc. worked with state agencies and several local companies in the past and has a strong working relationship with companies across multiple sectors. “We aim to provide excellent customer service to all of our clients. Our installations go through rigid quality control checks and we adhere to the standard of those checks. “That is our approach to ensure clients get high quality installations and that is what our clients are proud about,” he expressed while beaming. Apart from building a committed, reliable and skilled team fully integrated into the company’s culture and its surrounding business landscape, Singh shared that

The Viscom team hard at work

the company is also currently in the ‘last phase of wrapping up’ mandatory preparations to achieve its ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems certification. “The oil and gas industry requires the very best and that is what our company is desirous of offering,” he noted, adding: “the local content legislation should be embraced by all Guyanese.” Given the wealth of opportunities that exist within Guyana’s oil and gas sector as well as the construction industry, the company has made the decision to participate as an exhibitor in this year’s ‘International Building Expo 2022’ hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Water this month. Singh believes the massive development currently undertaken by the Government of Guyana allows Viscom Security Solutions Inc. and the associated ‘Viscom’ businesses the latitude to

progress well into the markets and to capitalise on the many opportunities, particularly within the local housing sector. “All of the services we offer are needed by any home. Whether it is a camera to see what is going on in the surroundings or an alarm system. “Any place will need a wireless door system or an intercom. The cameras, alarms and air-conditioning systems are all in high demand for the houses being built,” he shared. With an aim to influence the choices people make when carrying out technological upgrades to their homes and commercial spaces, Singh said his company is focused on major expansions including the addition of network security systems to its service line up, as well as easier-to-use security system setups.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

US$106.4M contract signed for new ECD-EBD road link

A US$106.4 million contract was signed in June for the construction of the first phase of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) to East Bank Demerara (EBD) road linkage project. At the signing ceremony which was held at the intersection of the Rupert Craig Highway and Ogle Road on the East Coast of Demerara, it was announced that an India-based construction company, Ashoka Buildcon Limited, will take on the project which is expected to be carried out over a 24-month period. The first phase of the road is expected to be a four-lane highway that stretches some 7.8 kilometres, with which each lane will be 3.6 metres wide, even as the road will feature a median, sidewalks, and a number of structures along the way. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said the massive

project was being supported through a concessional line of credit worth US$50 million from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India. He related that the road is not a stand-alone project, as it cannot be seen in isolation from what is happening across the rest of the country. “Each one of these projects must not be seen as standalone or isolated projects unconnected within an elaborate and comprehensive masterplan; an elaborate and comprehensive plan for the transformation of infrastructure across Guyana,” Dr Singh said. The overarching infrastructural plan of the government is to improve connectivity not just within Guyana, but between the country and its geographic neighbours, Suriname and Brazil. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in addressing the new road link and the wider plan to enhance connectivity across the country, said the

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Officials turning the sod for the first phase of the new East Bank Demerara– East Coast Demerara road linkage project (Adrian Narine photo)

project will create the foundation for there to be a number of connector roads that will bring this larger connection to fruition. The first phase will connect Ogle to Haags Bosch in Eccles, then farther into Diamond and subsequently to Timehri. With this, the road will serve as a critical link from

the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri. The construction of this important piece of infrastructure will also open up more lands for housing, agriculture, and industrial development. “So, all Guyanese who are progressive in thinking, let’s talk to each other, let us con-

verse, let us lock arms together to ensure the success of these projects for the benefit of all of us in Guyana,” Minister Edghill said. The idea behind the new, transformative ECD-EBD road link was conceptualised by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government in 2014. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat

Indar, said it was one of the projects that had been of major importance to the government since it was elected to office in August 2020. He said that, after just one week in government, President Dr Irfaan Ali had called a meeting to discuss the status of the project which was first conceptualised in 2014. The High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr K. J. Srinivasa, said that the High Commission had been actively working with the government to execute various transformative projects. And he related that the High Commission will continue to work closely with the government to ensure that work continues successfully on several development partnership-assistance projects. Director of Ashoka Buildcon Limited, Ashish Kataria, said construction of the new road link will commence in August.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

New Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge, other major infrastructural works for Region 10

A NUMBER of major infrastructural upgrades are expected in Region 10, including a new Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge. This was revealed by Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, in May, when he met with residents of Region 10, during a second outreach to the region. Some $550 million was initially set aside for infrastructural works on community roads across the region, but this amount has been increased to $1 billion. This is the biggest allocation yet to the region for roads. The projects include the repaving of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to the tune of US$120 million. Dr Jagdeo noted that the government was also engaged in the designing of a new Wismar Bridge. The

current structure has only one vehicle lane. That project, he said, the government hopes to have out to tender before the end of the year. The new bridge, the repaving of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and repairs to the Linden to Mabura Road, together represent an investment of over US$300M in Region 10, the Vice-President told residents at the outreach held on the lawns of West Watooka House. The government, he said, was investing $400 million at Millie’s Hideout to develop a new housing scheme there, and will facilitate the building of 1,000 homes in that area. The Linden Hospital will be upgraded, as well as power generation in the region, the Vice-President said.

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, addresses the gathering in Region 10 (Office of the Vice President photo)

500 homes to be built in Region Seven

SOME 120 acres of land have been earmarked in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), to build approximately 500 houses. This was announced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, in June, during an outreach held at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. The President had said that there was focus on ensuring that resources from within the Region were used during the development of the project. “We have just gotten 120 acres of land, and we are going to work with the people in Bartica: the skilled men and women of Bartica, the small contractors, the skilled contractors in Region Seven,” President Ali noted. According to the President, the project is expected to begin before the end of the year. “Very soon, before the end of August, the Minister [of Housing and Water] will come to meet with you because we want to use that

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, engages learners in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) during the Bartica outreach

120 acres of land to build at least 500 homes here using the labour and contractors of Region Seven,” Dr Ali continued. The project is expected to have a ripple effect on the

Region, particularly Bartica. Surrounding areas will also benefit. “This will not only deliver housing but create tremendous opportunities in the value chain for hardware re-

sources, skilled labour, [and] transportation services. All of this will be created with this one project,” the Head of State had explained. In addition to the development of the 120 acres

of land, the President said the government was also working on an infrastructure transformation plan which will see all the communities on the outskirts of the region being linked to central

Bartica, further opening up development. The President highlighted that Region Seven has the potential for development in the services, agriculture and tourism industry which government plans to advance. “We need to create a service hub in Region Seven in a very structured way. We already have a lot of investment catering to the service industry but it’s not structured,” the President said. Additionally, Dr Ali hopes there will be more focus on food production. “We have to work on using technology and increase our ability to produce more food in this region,” the President added. “This area must not only be looked at as a mining area but it has potential to become a major logistic operation for the mining sector. In order to do that, you must be able to provide food and provide services,” President Ali said.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Auditorium Ground Layout Map - Building Expo

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Ground Layout Map - Building Expo

$53.6M well to benefit over 1,300 Phillipai residents

SOME 1,300 residents in Phillipai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will benefit from a spanking new $53.6 million water supply system, according to a Ministry of Housing and Water statement. Residents, on Tuesday, met Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal and their team. The announcement of the new system, which will improve the community’s access to potable water, was made during that meeting. The village’s Toshao, Mark Joseph, was also present. The Housing and Water Ministry release said there was currently no functioning water supply system for

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Minister Croal hands over the water supply system to Phillipai’s Toshao, as GWI’s Jailal watches on. (Housing and Water Ministry photos)

the community as the old system had been inoperable for several years. As a result, residents had been fetching water from the spring and river. Rainwater was also harvested for consumption. Minister Croal stated that upon completion of the new system, at least 90 per cent of the community will have access to potable water. In the past year, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region has seen close to $100M invested in the water sector, moving overall water access from 34 per cent to 47 per cent at the end of 2021. With the new well at Phillipai and several other interventions in-line, Region Seven is expected to have 61 per cent coverage

by the end of 2022. The Housing and Water Ministry also noted that the project scope for the Phillipai Water Supply System includes the drilling of a new well; installation of 3500 metres of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes and 1500 metres of 19mm (3/4”) pipes with 200 service connections; construction of a 20-foot elevated metal trestle with storage tanks; installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories; and the construction of galvanised chain-link fence around well and photovoltaic system. Works will commence in the new week and will run for a period of three months.

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

7,000 house lots being developed in Region Three

– President Ali says commercial district, professional residential area also on the cards for Leonora

SOME 7,000 house lots are being developed in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), as part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s drive to provide 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by the year 2025. President, Dr Irfaan Ali, while conducting a walkthrough of the new West Central Mall under construction at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) just last week, said the first phase of the project had been awarded and infrastructural works had commenced. This new housing development, the Head of State said, will take place in the vicinity of the planned thoroughfare from Schoonord to Parika. In light of the rapid pace of development in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region, the President also spoke of plans for a commercial district in Leonora, along with a professional residential area. The development of lands in the region will help to address the backlog of 14,000

applications for Region Three, currently in the database of the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) awaiting allocation. The infrastructure costs on average to develop 1,500 acres of land is close to $10 billion, as will happen with the Stewartville/Cornelia Ida local area, the Head of State said. “…and this is not 10 years from now, these are projects that are in the immediate pipeline, projects that have already started,” Dr Ali said. Additionally, under the government’s turn-key initiative, some 200 housing units are expected to be constructed in Anna Catherina and MetenMeer-Zorg, targetting low and moderate-income earners. Further, under the Inter-American Development (IDB) funded Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, 25 core homes have been constructed for vulnerable families in Lusten-Rust, Onderneeming, La

Parfaite Harmonie, Recht-DoorZee and Westminster. Those new developments, President Ali had said, will be complemented by a $52 billion (US$260 million) new Demerara Harbour Bridge. In May, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, had announced that, as the ministry’s 2022 allocation drive continues, some 15,000 applicants will be served. “Our President has given a charge to aim for 25,000 homes over the five-year period, and so, while we will allocate 50,000 house lots, simultaneously we will be constructing houses,” Minister Croal had said. In keeping with its manifesto, the PPP/C government is committed to delivering 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within its first term in office. In 2021, the government surpassed its target of distributing 10,000 house lots to Guyanese through its signature “Dream Realised” house lot distribution exercise.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in conversation during a tour of the Sheriff Hospital and the West Central Mall, Region Three, on Friday (Office of the President photo)

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Memory Lane - Building Expo 2013

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Memory Lane - Building Expo 2013

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Allocation of 5,000 house lots on East Coast of Demerara commences

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Sunday, announced that his ministry would commence the allocation of some 5,000 house lots along the East Coast of Demerara this week. The minister spoke at the opening of a $300 million hardware complex at Estate Road, Enmore, ECD. Over the past 18 months, the government has been accelerating its massive housing drive to deliver on its promise of providing 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by 2025. Minister Croal said the government allocated close to 4,750 house lots on the East Coast of Demerara alone. Allocations were made at La Bonne Intention, Mon Repos, La Reconnaissance, A n n a n d a l e , Vi g i l a n c e , Strathspey, and Bladen Hall. Additionally, he said the ministry was acquiring lands for new housing developments from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to meet the housing demands in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). “The infrastructure work that is required to ensure that we are able to develop these new areas will cost billions of dollars,” Minister Croal noted. The housing minister said the construction sector is expected to grow by 10.2 per cent this year. He credited the continued growth in the construction sector to the government’s national housing

drive and other major private sector investments. Minister Croal pointed out that the demand for construction materials and hardware will continue to increase and, therefore, the opening of a new hardware store in Enmore was timely, as it will help to meet the demand on the east coast. “We welcome these kinds of investments. We support it and you can count on us as a government and as a ministry…for any help that we can provide to help you grow even more,” he said. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who was also present, spoke about some of the infrastructural development being undertaken along the east coast corridor to complement the massive housing development. He said that, by the end of the year, the government will spend an additional $15 billion to upgrade and expand community roads. “We still have hundreds of roads more to get done and our streets within communities…it is a commitment by President Irfaan Ali that all community streets will be upgraded to asphaltic concrete or rigid surface concrete,” he told the gathering. Further, works have commenced on the Ogle, ECD and Eccles, East Bank Demerara Road. The government has also announced plans to upgrade the railway embankment into a four-lane road to help counter growing traffic woes. (DPI)

An aerial view of the new houses in Cummings Lodge

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

Region Three gets home construction assistance programme

SCORES of residents in Region Three turned out at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, on June 24, as the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority launched the Home Construction Assistance Programme in the region. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves; Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor and technical staff were present at the launch. The initiative is the brainchild of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and is designed to assist Guyanese families, who own government or private lands to

access financing and build their homes. “Our goal as a government is to ensure that all of our citizens have proper access to housing. We understand the many difficulties that you encounter and this programme provides an avenue to bridge that gap,” Minister Croal stated. Through the programme applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models ($7 million, $9 million and $12 million) and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions. Those on board include Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Citizens Bank and the New Building Society. The houses will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for qual-

Region Three residents turned out in their numbers at the launch of the programme

ity control. During the launch, several contractors in the region, who expressed interest in building the houses registered with the Ministry’s database. This will boost the regional economy and create employment for residents in the area. Minister Croal not-

ed that, in addition to the Home Construction Assistance Programme, several other projects will catapult the region’s housing sector. Close to $4 billion in infrastructure works are ongoing in several housing schemes. The new four-lane highway from Schoonord, West Bank Demerara to

Crane, West Coast Demerara, will unlock lands for new housing and commercial developments. Minister Croal had also announced that construction for the first 500 homes in Region Three was expected to commence soon. During the launch in June, residents lauded the government’s effort to make home-ownership more attainable. “It’s a great initiative because, right now, for me, we’re paying rent and it’s very expensive,” expressed Mrs. Shavannah Sugrim, a mother of two, who was able to pre-qualify with one of the financial institutions. Her spouse, Mr. Royan Sugrim also shared similar sentiments, as he noted that they were looking forward to providing a safer shelter

for their children. Meanwhile, single mother of four, Ms. Shellon Castello, stated, “it’s a very good initiative especially for single parents […] I’ve been waiting for a while now to build my own house so it’s a good thing for the assistance we’re receiving”. After receiving her land in 2013 and encountering a number of difficulties constructing her house, Ms. Shamkumarie Persaud, also stated that she was pleased with the initiative. Ms. Persaud has now been pre-qualified for a mortgage with the New Building Society. The Home Construct i o n A s s i s t a n c e P ro gramme has also been launched in Region Four, Region Six and Region 10. (DPI)

28 families in Berbice get low-income houses

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

TWENTY-EIGHT families are now proud homeowners after they were allocated the first set of two-bedroom, low-income units, constructed by the Ministry of Housing and Water, Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CHPA) at Hampshire, East Berbice-Corentyne. The allocation exercise was done at Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and reported by the Guyana Chronicle, in early June. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves; Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Narindra Persaud and President of CCCC, Mr. Mohammed Raffik were present at the allocation exercise. Each house is being allocated at a cost of $5.5 million (inclusive of the cost of the land) to the allottee. A total of 100 low-income houses are being built at Hampshire. The contract sum for the construction of these houses is $750 million.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, hands over the keys to a family

Housing officials with a family and their new home

Single mother working two jobs excited about new home

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022

By Cassandra Khan AFTER applying for a house lot in 2019, single parent Nadira Allen has finally acquired her own turn-key home this year, through the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA). Allen, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said that the property is located at Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD), awaiting the installation of water and electricity before she moves in. Sharing a little about the process itself, the single mother said she made her down-payment at the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) and was later referred to the New Building Society Limited (NBS) to engage the bank on a loan. “It’s a two-bedroom, flat concrete house. I think 20x30 is the size of the house. It also comes with septic tanks and plumbing and wiring and everything

Nadira and her two children (Photo credit: Nadira Allen)

done. “The thing is that we have to wait on Central Housing [& Planning Authority] to give us the

certificate to go hook up the light at GPL [Guyana Power & Light Company] and I have already applied for the water,” Allen

shared. Once she moves in, Allen hopes to start a small garden because the land is large enough.

The 33-year-old mother, and her two children, ages seven and nine years, all reside with Allen’s mother. She said her children are very much excited as it is the “biggest thing ever” and they want to see the house every day as they cannot wait to move in. Allen has two jobs, one at Guyana Stock Feed where she is an accounts clerk from Monday through Friday, and on the weekends where she works at SMS Realty. She shared that she feels independent and in a state of peace of mind knowing that she is secure and her children now have their own space. “It’s a sense of security… It feels good because I can be qualified for a loan because of the house, so it feels good to have that upper hand now,” Allen said. She related that she came from a single-parent home as well with her three brothers.

“We didn’t have it all. My mom is a charwoman, meaning she cleans. She’s working right here at Guyana Stock Feed. She’s been working here for 20-something years. “And after a while, she re-married when I was like about eight or nine. But I grew up in a not-poor, notrich home; a content one,” Allen reflected. She related that her new house, once she is fully moved in, will help to relieve the stress of having to travel to get to work and to drop her children at school as the new home is closer to both her office and the children’s school. “I’m coming from [La] Parfaite Harmonie... It is hell when you have two children to bring across to go to school and you have to go to work. The second job really comes in good, financially, when it comes to gas and things for my kids on weekends,” Allen said.

‘It feels good to turn my own key’ — Single father of two excited for new home

By Naomi Parris

AFTER 13 years of praying and waiting, Terry Reid, a single father of two, will soon be moving his children from a rental home in the capital city to one they can finally call their own. Reid, 45, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, disclosed that he had first applied to the Ministry of Housing to become a land owner in 2009. He felt discouraged by the long waiting time. “I first applied in 2009… they got [sic] a

lot of people that applied for 15 - 20 years and up to now they ain’t get through… I had to be on it, keep checking and I got through now. “And that’s the main thing, and I’m happy about it,” the father of two said. Since he had some difficulty in acquiring land, Reid opted to apply for a turn-key home, which he has since received in Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD). “I decided to switch to the turn key because the land was taking too long to come through, and then I realised it was going to

be easier. “It’s a whole lot of things you have to do: you have to run electricity and water and all these other things. But with this, you will get the key and you have a house with all the facilities inside,” he explained in his interview. Prior to owning his own home, Reid had moved from one residence to the next, citing challenges with landlords. Disclosing that he has spent roughly $160,000 in rent on a monthly basis, Reid is happy this will no longer be the case as he prepares to move into his new home.

“You know; renting, it’s a lot. You have landlords pressuring you for rent. I moved around a lot. I also had situations when landlords sent notice for you to move out at short notice,” the single father expressed. He added: “I am so happy. You know how good it will feel to just go and turn your own key and this is your own? Even though I still have to pay a loan, I don’t mind. I don’t worry about that part.” The home is currently under construction and is moving along smoothly, he explained.

“Well, the house isn’t fully complete yet. It’s building [right now]. When it’s finished, we will move into it. Right now, we still rent a place downtown,” he added. In addition to the joy he feels about his new home, Reid is also excited about the process of officially registering and launching his graphic design business. “I am trying to establish back my business. We never opened my business publicly. I always used to work independently and whenever customers give us work, we take it,” he expressed.

With the future looking bright, Reid anticipates he will open a storefront business in Kitty, Georgetown so he can display his work and bring in fresh clientele. “With the new responsibility… I have to pay this mortgage and so on. I have a lot of equipment… [so] let me take a risk and open to the public… “The place where we are located, I had to spend some money to clean it up and have it looking nice because you know if you have a shabby place how people gone look at your business,” Reid expressed

BUILDING EXPO SUPPLEMENT, Thursday, July 21, 2022