MP Duncan Exposes Housing Failures at Tract “A” in Mabaruma

Member of Parliament (MP) Sherod Duncan of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has criticised the government’s handling of the Tract “A” housing project in Mabaruma, describing a glaring gap between promises made and the reality on the ground. During a site visit on January 9, 2026, accompanied by MP Juretha Fernandes, Duncan found that years of announcements and reported allocations have yet to translate into livable housing or functioning infrastructure.

“The site shows only basic earthworks. There is a graded path, but no completed road base, no functional drainage, and no finished culverts,” Duncan said. “Several culverts remain incomplete and disconnected, with exposed inlets and outlets that will wash away at the first heavy rainfall. These conditions are not consistent with a housing scheme ready for residential construction.”

He further highlighted the absence of critical services, noting that “there is no visible water or electricity infrastructure. No water mains, valves, meter boxes, power poles, transformers, or service connections exist. Without these, the land cannot be considered ready for occupation or development.” Duncan warned that the government’s failure to provide utilities leaves citizens stranded, unable to begin construction even if they hold allocations.

The MP painted a stark picture of inactivity and wasted resources. “Heavy machinery was present but idle. There were no workers, supervisors, or engineers, and no signage indicating active contracts, timelines, or responsible agencies. There were no foundations, building materials, or preparatory works by beneficiaries. This suggests that titles have not been issued and families are left in limbo.”

Duncan criticised the government for creating false expectations and mismanaging public funds. “Allocating land before roads, drainage, water, and electricity are in place misleads citizens and wastes taxpayers’ money,” he said. “Parliament and the public deserve clear answers on how many allocations were made, whether any titles were issued, how much has been spent, and when Tract ‘A’ will genuinely be serviced and ready for residents to build and live.”

He called for urgent accountability, saying the current situation reflects a pattern of broken commitments and squandered resources, leaving ordinary Guyanese to bear the brunt of political promises that fail to materialise.