Jagdeo Admits Land Backlog Persists Despite 50,000 House Lot Milestone
By HGP Nightly News | August 6, 2025
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who also serves as the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Monday confirmed that the government has exceeded its goal of distributing 50,000 house lots in five years. However, soaring demand—particularly in Region 4—continues to put pressure on the housing system.
Speaking on a radio program, Jagdeo said that while the housing drive has made impressive strides, the backlog of applications, especially in Greater Georgetown, remains a significant challenge.
“We are now allocating [house lots] up to 2019 in Region 4,” Jagdeo noted, acknowledging that tens of thousands of applications remain unprocessed.
A Decade of Waiting
This is not the first time housing allocation has faced public scrutiny. In early 2023, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal claimed that the ministry had “no significant backlog”, a statement that sparked public backlash from applicants who have been waiting since 2014 or 2015. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) later issued a clarification, stating that allocations were being prioritized based on land availability.
But for many Guyanese families, the issue has evolved beyond mere bureaucracy. It’s a source of distress and delay—with every application representing a dream of stability, independence, and ownership.
“Behind each application is a story,” Jagdeo acknowledged. “A young couple seeking stability, a single parent hoping to escape rent, or an elderly applicant holding onto the dream of owning a piece of Guyana.”
Clearing Jungle to Build Communities
Jagdeo explained the logistical challenges involved in preparing new housing schemes. He described the conversion of untouched jungle areas—such as lands behind Diamond on the East Bank Demerara—into livable communities.
“We had to push down trees 150 feet tall, clear jaguars, excavate roads 14 feet deep, and then backfill it with sand,” he said.
This kind of groundwork is expensive and time-consuming, especially in high-demand areas. Yet, according to Jagdeo, it is a necessary investment to meet the demand for homeownership.
Critics Raise Concerns About Transparency
Despite the progress, activists and opposition members have accused the government of downplaying the backlog and criticized the transparency of allocations. Some say the distribution process lacks fairness, particularly when plots are granted in political strongholds.
Still, Jagdeo insisted that no previous administration has matched the PPP/C’s commitment or performance in the housing sector.
“People don’t understand the kind of land we are converting into housing… This isn’t just free land waiting. We’re building communities from the ground up,” he said.
The Road Ahead
With just weeks to go before the September 1 General and Regional Elections, the government’s record on housing will likely be a key campaign issue. While 50,000 house lots represent a milestone, many Guyanese continue to wait—some for nearly a decade—for their own plot of land.
The challenge now is not only to maintain the momentum but to clear the backlog, improve transparency, and ensure land development keeps pace with allocation promises.
