Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 04, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
The entire land development and home building process in Guyana is poorly evaluated and planned. First and foremost, there is little to zero foresight for the inevitable social concomitants that accompanies population increase. There is sickness; yet no new hospital or increase in medical staff, the need for schools, adjustments for recreation (parks) and crime (more police officers) are not undertaken. There is sewer/septic hurdles, garbage, transportation and a litany of issues associated with housing. Worst of all, today, there is the proliferation of ‘black tanks’ on trestles! This lopsided system of household water supply is both unhealthy and costly. Simply put: better pumps with stronger pipes and efficient design will save people an astronomical sum. Instead, across the country is the phenomenon of taxi services and ‘rum shops’ THAT mushroom overnight! A clear product of the current poorly accessed housing impact on the environment.
During the Elections campaign last May, President Granger aptly pointed out that lands the (then) PPP government was handing out were not house lots. In effect, what was given to the proletariat ( a term the late Cheddi Jagan perpetually used, referring to the “ordinary man’) were pieces of cow pasture and cane lands. In regards to the preparation of house lots, the mere leveling of the land is flawed as the topsoil gets mixed with the under soil. No studies on the level of the water table to access the need for the type of building material that will hold up heavy structures. The type of structures also must be factored in as certain quality of construction material, coupled with architectural flaws and substandard building techniques all contribute to the durability of the building.
In loam soil areas, structures above a certain weight will eventually sink or lean, hence the need for material assessment and maximum weight and height. In this regards zoning laws need to be instituted giving rise to building enclosed square footage ratios vs the land area. Zoning laws goes further to regulate the quality of life: a salient example is the interjection of businesses (e.g. tire and oil change service, welding and metal fabricating) in fully residential areas.
Sad to say that Guyana is in the Jurassic age in accepting this haphazard concoction and passes it for suburban planning. Even the two Pradovilles have their deficiencies in water and electric design. It may be superfluous to add that housing projects have not fulfilled the vast demand for houses continue to be erected without correlation to neighboring villages regarding linking of basic utilities like water, electric, transportation etc.
The capital and suburbs are home to more than half the population and indications are Georgetown will be even more densely populated. With more people occupying the same area there is needed for multi- family houses, catering for those who want to “save up” to buy. These must be legal to rent vis a vis the apartments fabricated by homeowners where a few separating walls evolve into a rental income. Fire codes, such as water sprinklers, in commercial and multi-family units are non-existent.
In conclusion, he epidemic of inadequate housing is steeply rooted in poor mortgage/loan process. It must be legislated that at least 20% of Bank assets should be ploughed into the housing sector. Previous administrations failed to institute this and other regulations that would have enabled working families to own properties. Guyana can step into the field with a win-win program. Loans will be given to those who can produce their Taxes Filing documents. In this way Lenders are assured that there is sound, verifiableincome and the gov’t is made happy that taxes are being paid. The sad reality is that the housing process is burning down and the Housing Authorities are arguing with the firemen.
Leyland Roopnarine
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
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