Major Infrastructure Works Advancing in Phase Three of Wales Housing Development

Minister of Housing, the Hon. Collin Croal, along with Minister within the Ministry, the Hon. Vanessa Benn, earlier today conducted a site visit to ongoing infrastructure works in Phase Three of the Wales Housing Development on the West Bank Demerara.

The visit forms part of the Ministry’s continued monitoring of the multi-billion-dollar housing expansion currently underway in the area.

Infrastructure works valued at approximately $6.5 billion are currently progressing across several sections of Phase Three, including Laurentia, Catherina, Lorenzo, Viva La Force and Vriesland.
Accompanying the Ministers during the visit were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Bishram Kuppen, Senior Engineer Anthony Ragnaught, along with other technical staff and engineers overseeing the project. Approximately 15 contractors are currently engaged in the first phase of infrastructure development in the area.

Works being executed include the construction of access bridges, culverts and the installation of water distribution networks, all of which form part of the initial stage of preparing the lands for residential development.

Providing an update on the progress of the project, Minister Croal explained that the Ministry is working towards having the lands ready for prospective homeowners by the end of May.
“We want to see that by the end of May, all persons should be able to identify their lots in the Phase Three areas. For those lots that are completed ahead of time, we will move to conduct the surveys so that persons can begin seeing their lots even earlier,” the Minister noted.

He added that while some access challenges were experienced during the initial stage of the development, most of those issues have since been resolved and works are progressing satisfactorily.

Minister Croal further highlighted that the development forms part of the massive housing rollout in Wales, noting that the Government will continue to expand the area as more lands become available.
“We will continue working as we acquire more lands from NICIL. As we acquire more lands, we will continue development for future allocations,” he stated.

To date, over 3,500 house lots have already been allocated within the Wales Housing Development.
Meanwhile, Minister Benn encouraged contractors to maximise the current favourable weather conditions to accelerate works, particularly ahead of the typical May–June rainy season.

“We are now in March and moving closer to the May–June rains. We have good weather now, so please push as much work as possible — but without compromising the quality,” she urged.
Minister Benn also reminded contractors of the significance of the project to thousands of Guyanese families.
“What you are doing here is Guyana’s development. It is about ensuring people have access and the opportunity to build their homes. The work you do must ensure that future homeowners have proper roads and access when they begin construction,” she added.

The Wales Housing Development continues to play a major role in the Government’s national housing programme aimed at expanding access to home ownership for thousands of Guyanese families.

Photos & Drone: Sydel Thomas, Central Housing & Planning Authority Public Relations Department.