Guyana’s International Building Exposition is back with plans on stream for it to be held later in the year and now with Guyana undergoing a major infrastructural transformation, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said that this will be the focal point for the 2022 edition.
“You will recognise that from the previous building expos to now, that a lot has happened in our country and a lot is happening, so this year, we will showcase our transformation, the plans for our roads and highways and buildings,” the Housing Minister shared with the News Room on Wednesday.
It was Minister Croal who signaled the government’s intention to revive the Building Expo in the National Assembly as he defended a $27 million allocation in the 2022 national budget for the ministry.
The expo was a running attraction since 2010, under the stewardship of then Housing and Water turned President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
It gave those involved in the construction and building sectors a chance to show-off their skills and was a big hit with the international community as exhibitors from Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, USA, Canada and Barbados would also participate.
But when the government changed in 2015, the APNU+AFC Coalition suspended it, citing a need for it to be revamped. However, six years had passed and nothing materialised.
Now, with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) returned to office, renewed interest in the Building Expo has sparked and according to the Housing Minister, citizens can expect a launch in two-week time which will give more insight on what to expect.
The Expo’s location will remain the Guyana National Stadium as the space is ideal for the showcase of full houses and building supplies.
It is expected that the government will also showcase the ready-for-export timber houses that are built primarily from local products here -another flagship project by President Ali.
These houses are built beforehand and would simply need to be assembled at their destination. The President first publicly floated the idea of exporting these ready-made houses to Caribbean states – particularly those affected by hurricanes.
He had also highlighted that one of his government’s plans is to create 1,000 model houses in the new city that is being developed.
Ghana has already bought approximately 120 of the housing units from Guyana.
