The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Tuesday signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Harris Paints Guyana that would see new low-income allottees benefiting from a seven per cent discount when they purchase paint over the next year. The agreement was signed in the boardroom of the Housing and Water Ministry by CH&PA Chief Executive Officer Myrna Pitt and Harris Paints Guyana, Business Unit head Terry White. Delivering brief remarks, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali underscored the importance of the agreement, urging the authority to continue to build partnerships and alliances with the various stakeholders that constitute the housing and construction sector, in a bid to ensure that Guyanese homeowners benefit from various incentives. The minister said that government welcomes the operationalisation of new public/private ventures that will result in accrued benefits for Guyanese who enter the sector with the aim of fulfilling their life-long desire of owning their own homes, especially if these citizens fall into the low-income and low-middle income earning brackets. "I am very happy that Harris Paints has joined a number of other corporate entities that share our vision for the development of the sector," Ali stated, explaining that there are some eight categories of partners that his ministry has built relations with in the interest of achieving some of its short and long term goals, which are generally focused on making home ownership easier and more affordable. These partners include corporate entities, construction companies and businesses, service providers, financial institutions and the private sector, among others. "Many people have the perception that incentives must come from the government" the minister noted, stating that he believes that stakeholders including Harris Paints have an invaluable contribution to make towards achieving specific goals in the sector. "I want to personally express my gratitude to Harris Paints for understanding its corporate responsibility and coming on board with our Central Housing and Planning Authority welcome to the partnership," he said. Meanwhile, Harris Paints Business Unit head Terry White was excited to be on board with the ministry's," quest to empower Guyanese through home ownership. "I think it's commendable what they are doing for the Guyanese people by providing affordable housing is good we are willing to support them in this venture," White said, as he surprisingly announced that the partnership though contractually due to expire by February 2014, will be evaluated and then embarked upon again. The MoU also extends the seven per cent discount to staff of the Housing Ministry and the CH&PA. Contractors with turn-key projects will also benefit from the discount which takes effect from February this year. The ministry under Ali's," stewardship has embarked on a series of new partnerships and incentives aimed at opening up more opportunities through strategic policy management available to new home owners that could make them realise their dreams within a shorter period of time. Already, incentive packages have been agreed and implemented with Toolsie Persaud Limited, National Hardware, Trinidad Cement Limited (Guyana), and Gafoors for various discounts and offers. Several other financial institutions are also on board with the private/public partnership scheme as promoted by the ministry. Also present at Tuesday's signing ceremony were Housing Ministry Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrel, CH&PA Director Denise Tudor and several other senior staff members of the ministry. (AP)
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Tuesday signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Harris Paints Guyana that would see new low-income allottees benefiting from a seven per cent discount when they purchase paint over the next year. The agreement was signed in the boardroom of the Housing and Water Ministry by CH&PA Chief Executive Officer Myrna Pitt and Harris Paints Guyana, Business Unit head Terry White. Delivering brief remarks, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali underscored the importance of the agreement, urging the authority to continue to build partnerships and alliances with the various stakeholders that constitute the housing and construction sector, in a bid to ensure that Guyanese homeowners benefit from various incentives. The minister said that government welcomes the operationalisation of new public/private ventures that will result in accrued benefits for Guyanese who enter the sector with the aim of fulfilling their life-long desire of owning their own homes, especially if these citizens fall into the low-income and low-middle income earning brackets. "I am very happy that Harris Paints has joined a number of other corporate entities that share our vision for the development of the sector," Ali stated, explaining that there are some eight categories of partners that his ministry has built relations with in the interest of achieving some of its short and long term goals, which are generally focused on making home ownership easier and more affordable. These partners include corporate entities, construction companies and businesses, service providers, financial institutions and the private sector, among others. "Many people have the perception that incentives must come from the government" the minister noted, stating that he believes that stakeholders including Harris Paints have an invaluable contribution to make towards achieving specific goals in the sector. "I want to personally express my gratitude to Harris Paints for understanding its corporate responsibility and coming on board with our Central Housing and Planning Authority welcome to the partnership," he said. Meanwhile, Harris Paints Business Unit head Terry White was excited to be on board with the ministry's," quest to empower Guyanese through home ownership. "I think it's commendable what they are doing for the Guyanese people by providing affordable housing is good we are willing to support them in this venture," White said, as he surprisingly announced that the partnership though contractually due to expire by February 2014, will be evaluated and then embarked upon again. The MoU also extends the seven per cent discount to staff of the Housing Ministry and the CH&PA. Contractors with turn-key projects will also benefit from the discount which takes effect from February this year. The ministry under Ali's," stewardship has embarked on a series of new partnerships and incentives aimed at opening up more opportunities through strategic policy management available to new home owners that could make them realise their dreams within a shorter period of time. Already, incentive packages have been agreed and implemented with Toolsie Persaud Limited, National Hardware, Trinidad Cement Limited (Guyana), and Gafoors for various discounts and offers. Several other financial institutions are also on board with the private/public partnership scheme as promoted by the ministry. Also present at Tuesday's signing ceremony were Housing Ministry Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrel, CH&PA Director Denise Tudor and several other senior staff members of the ministry. (AP)
