a clay brick factory located in Canal Number Two

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Among the biggest highlights of the fourth International Building Exposition, will be government’s unveiling of ‘Silica City’, a housing development project targeting the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. With lands no longer available on the East Coast of Demerara, and the space on the East Bank of Demerara running out, the focus is on further south along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.Yesterday, construction was in full swing at the National Stadium, Providence, with trucks weaving their way among harried workers and tents.A display of the proposed ‘Silica City’ that government will be showcasing this weekend.Three model homes, including an eye-catching $19M model home that the Housing Ministry will soon be offering as part of its ‘turn-key’ homes, will also be on display.In addition to the commercial banks and the New Building Society, companies from Venezuela, Suriname, Trinidad, the US and China will be participating. So will block makers, hardware suppliers and private developers.Slings of cements will be given away nightly with the Housing Ministry standing by to talk to visitors on their applications and options.And there’s something else we shouldn’t forget.For years, it had been a popular building material. Harder than the concrete blocks and fire resistant, the red colour clay bricks for some had no competitors. But then the company that manufactured it, a clay brick factory located in Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, closed its doors.Today, more than 90% of the homes being built are from concrete blocks. But one company is determined to reintroduce the use of the red bricks.Ansa McAl, a Trinidad-owned company, is one of the 100-plus sponsors and exhibitors that will be showcasing its Abel Clay Blocks. While they are not made in Guyana, the company is hoping the blocks take off in a big way.With the construction industry and housing boom, the expo has become an opportunity for homeowners and would-be ones to see some of the many new building materials on the market and even strike a deal.From tips on how to mix cement to types of gutters to the model homes available from private developers, the exhibition has been growing.Exhibitors were working round the clock to be ready for today’s opening of the fourth annual International Building Expo.Last year, construction giant, B.K. International, introduced a tile made of wood waste and other materials. Deckings and even locally-made concrete bricks were fielded at the show.According to Andre Ally, an official of the Housing Ministry team that has been organizing the event, this year, exhibitors are keeping a number of surprises close to their chest.“We know that there will be giveaways and a host of other things for persons visiting. Obviously one has to be there from tomorrow (today) to experience these.”Another company, Sunshine Villas, will be introducing street lights that are powered by solar energy.According to Ally, one of the highlights of the expo will also be a demonstration by a local company, Fix It Hardware, which will be demonstrating its line of tools for homeowners who want to embark on the do-it-yourself projects.“We have seen a surge in registration for exhibitors within the last week and more booth space had to be earmarked.”For the first quarter this year, over 3,400 borrowers accessed mortgages in excess of $9.3B from the banks and NBS. At the end of the first quarter, commercial banks lent in excess of $163.5B, about $2B more than last year.Last year, almost 8,000 house lots were distributed – a 22 per cent increase over the targeted 6,500. Some 4,177 titles were also distributed with over $3.3B plugged in developing new infrastructures along the East Bank of Demerara.The three-day event ends on Sunday. (Leonard Gildarie)