In response to the Kwakwani flooding, Minister of Housing and Water Colin Croal says a new housing scheme is underway to facilitate residents along the waterfront.
Croal, in an interview with reporters at the Providence Stadium, acknowledged that the area is being affected by heavy rainfall and as a result of the flooding, a new housing scheme has been designed and is currently under development.
He explained that government secured land from Lands and Survey to facilitate this initiative. The project aims to provide available lots for residents, with ongoing efforts to reach out to the community. According to Croal, the housing team conducts monthly visits to Kwakwani to engage with residents, continuing outreach and informing them about the progress of the scheme.
“Kwakwani, as you quite rightly identified, on the waterfront, has issues of flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall. We have available lots, and we’ve conducted repeated outreach exercises.”
Croal further elaborated that the infrastructure development is actively underway, with three contractors involved in building out the necessary infrastructure. While recognizing the importance of proactive planning, the minister said government has made the area available for those affected by flooding. While some residents have expressed a desire to remain on the waterfront, others are encouraged to participate in the housing program. The opportunity remains open for residents to apply for housing, with allocations to be made as infrastructure development progresses.
“Those persons who are affected in Kwakkwani, some have responded, not all, some of them have indicated they want to remain because they want to remain on the waterfront but we have available and the opportunity is still available for them to engage housing as a pending applicant,” Croal explained.
For almost two weeks, resident of Kwakwani Region 10 had been batting with severe flooding. While, the floodwaters still remain on land, the Guyana Standard was told that the waters have receded a little as compared to last week. Many residents remain confined to their homes while others navigate the communities by boat. Students are unable to attend school. Some residents were evacuated from the area with many in shelters and others accommodated by relatives.
On Sunday, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed and team distributed more than 400 flood relief hampers to the residents of Kwakwani, Hururu, and Aroaima. Mohamed highlighted that over 1,600 persons are affected by the flooding.
Director General Colonel Nazrul Hussain, along with a team from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), visited Region 10 to conduct flood impact assessments and engage with key stakeholders. The CDC said it remains committed to working closely with regional and local authorities to assess the households affected by the current flooding.
