Annette Ferguson (MP) has yet again demonstrated a lack of understanding on crucial matters of public policy, this time in the case of housing. Ms Ferguson mixes up the allocation of house lots with a range of other issues. As it stands, space only allows for engagement with some of the errors.
Firstly, Ms Ferguson states that some people applied for house lots three years ago, but they are still waiting. I have no idea how this claim invalidates the well-established fact that the PPP/C has fulfilled its 2020 election promise on house lots.
Secondly, Ms Ferguson complains about the rising cost of building a new house. But this is same MP who wants workers to be paid more. An unskilled day-labourer now makes $5000-$6000 performing such tasks as fetching water. A truck driver now can make anywhere between $17,000-20,000 daily. A mason will not work for less than $16,000 daily, nor would a carpenter. Rather than acknowledge that wage-rates have gone up, a positive thing, Ferguson deploys the language of inflation. Ms. Ferguosn should go read the last IMF Article IV Report on Guyana.
Third and finally, MP Ferguson rails against house lots for $3 million, but the argument is sheer quackery. Why? Well because she ignores the fact that there are different categories of house lots and the price of a lot also depends on the location. For instance, on the East Coast of Demerara, Low Income house lots range from $250,000-$600,000. If you are in Region 5, you can get a Moderate-Income lot for $300,000, or a Middle-Income lot in Region 3 for $800,000. In Region 6 you can get a Moderate-Income lot between $286,000 – 320,000, or a Middle-Income lot from $520,000 -585,000. Regarding the High Income lots for $3 million, yes, but that is up to you. As with all things, buy what you can afford.
Ministers Croal and Rodrigues are absolutely correct when they state that the PPP/C government has fulfilled its election promises on housing.