Pres Ali woos Guyanese diaspora in Canada to invest, own vacation homes in Silica City

As work advances on the model smart and sustainable city along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Silica City, President Dr Irfaan Ali is encouraging members of the Guyanese diaspora to explore investing in vacation homes there.

The Head of State was addressing the Guyanese diaspora in Canada during an engagement at the Pearson Centre in Brampton, Ontario, on Saturday morning.
Touting Silica City as a development ahead of its time, President Ali noted that his Government wants to see a percentage of the occupancy there taken up by overseas-based Guyanese.

“In that city, modernity will meet tradition. And tradition will be an envelope in the environment. It is designed to be a city of sustainability, a city of wellness, a city of the future… And we want at least 25 per cent of this city to be dedicated to meeting the needs of the diaspora,” he posited.

Showing a promotional video depicting the layout and design of Silica City, the Guyanese leader contended, “Visuals give you a better understanding of what we are planning… I want you to see what the city will look like so that those of you who want to own your vacation home, own your second home, or invest in your home in Guyana can be part of Silica City… Here is your opportunity.”

Silica City

Located approximately 40 kilometres (km) from Georgetown and 5km from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Silica City is designed as a climate-resilient urban ecosystem that integrates innovation, nature, and smart technology. It will be Guyana’s first modern sustainable city and is part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).

Silica City was initially conceived in 2009 by Ali during his tenure as Housing Minister. The Government has set aside some 3800 acres of land for the new city, with approximately 15,000 houses to be constructed in various phases over the next two decades.

In its first five years, the city is expected to cater to just over 3000 households, all of whom will enjoy access to high-end developments, including smart homes equipped with the newest energy-saving technologies.

The Guyana Government has worked with the University of Miami, as well as other major developers and planners, in building out of the city.

Phase One of Silica City involves significant infrastructure development alongside ongoing housing construction to the tune of some $1.2 billion. Already, construction works are ongoing for the first 110 Young Professional houses under this first phase. These houses comprise four designs, with prices ranging between $27 million and $35 million.

Housing Minister Collin Croal had previously reported that a number of these houses are already completed and allocated to beneficiaries. Another $2.9 billion has also been allocated for infrastructure works in the city.

Phase Two

According to President Ali during Saturday’s diaspora engagement, “We have just signed on with investors from Saudi Arabia in the building out of the second phase of homes in this city.”

Phase Two of Silica City caters to the development of over 374 lots that will have various aspects of construction, including a retirement resort, a healthcare hub, and sports tourism facilities. This aspect of the project will target the Guyanese diaspora, including investment opportunities.

In December, it was reported that Guyana received several proposals for the construction of the retirement resort and a healthcare hub. This was in response to an Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), inviting qualified developers to design, finance, and construct an eco-focused retirement resort and a healthcare-focused mixed-use development hub within Silica City.