By Leonard GildarieThe fourth edition of the International Building Expo has come and gone and like I promised, we will look to examine, in a broad way, some of the issues that came to the fore.I loved the barbecue and cookup that they had. There were some downsides for me, though. On Sunday, the last day of the expo,China Jerseys Cheap, we were forced to park way down the road from the National Stadium at Providence and then the kids decided they were tired and walking would be too much of a bother. The crowds were there early.Intended home owners would be more than happy if local businesses could develop low cost pre-fabricated modular homes for the Guyana market.According to the Housing Ministry, over 60,000 persons visited the expo over the three days it was held. The tassa drummers were there too. And it drew the carnival-like crowds. However, it was clear that the turn-key homes, the Housing Ministry booth and the banks were the biggest attractions.Over 4,000 applicants signed up for the low to middle income house lots while over 1,200 persons passed the qualifying stage for mortgage financing.While no names were given, there is news that two overseas companies are looking now to build pre-fabricated units. That is supposed to drop the cost of construction in a significant way.This is an area that I would love to see some movement on, in a pretty quick way.Because of the quirky manner used by 90-plus contractors in Guyana, I would be bold enough to say that much is wasted in materials and with hapless homeowners forced in some cases to order extra, because of miscalculations by the contractors. These are precious dollars, especially if you have taken a mortgage.Many countries, especially in Latin America and Asia, have been experimenting with materials that come in standard sizes and are easy to assemble. The walls,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, roof, ceiling, doors with locks…everything is there.With the country’s abundance of wood and other raw materials, I would hate to think that we have to look to another part of the world for pre-fab homes.I know that the Bulkans, who have an operation along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, have been manufacturing the wooden shingles for exports. These are in hot demand overseas because of its beauty and resilience. The company has also unveiled a full wooden home that it says is cost effective. I love the shade and use of different kinds of wood.Barama Company, at Land of Canaan, has been manufacturing plywood for the longest while. I am not sure how much tweaking can be done to their operations, but maybe the development of a sheet-rock type internal wall, made from local wood, would not be too far out for the imagination.I know BK International has been experimenting in tiles made from waste materials. So, yes, we don’t have to go too far.There are literally hundreds of wood types in Guyana that are not being used in any commercial manner. Yet they are beautiful and if treated correctly, can help construction costs come down a notch. Greenheart, mora, kabakalli and purpleheart have all been becoming more expensive in recent years as demand grows.On one occasion, on an assignment for the newspaper, we were visiting the Niamatallis’ sawmilling operations located in Region 10, up the Berbice River. The family’s home was built with the traditional types of wood. But it was the porch overlooking the Berbice River that caught my eye and others who were on that trip. The contractors used what the experts in Guyana would refer to as “lesser known species” of wood.I am sure that the wood was baked and left to dry for a while. But the finished home was breathtaking. It will take a company that is thinking outside of the box to really bring this in a big way to Guyana. I do believe that concrete homes are beautiful when finished in the correct manner, but can never compare to wooden ones.Another factor that may have turned people off over the years with wood is the fact that the majority of sawmillers and lumber yards – and I have no reservations in saying this – have been ripping Guyanese off royally. Not only is poor quality wood being sold, but homeowners in many cases are the ones left in the lurch with bends, cracks and host of other problems cropping up in the months that follow after moving in. I must also point out that the wood sold overseas has to meet certain specifications, including length and moisture content. Yet, little protection is offered to the many that depend on the sawmills and lumberyards for wood.So yes, I do believe that now that the Housing Ministry’s showpiece is over, the attention should be placed on this important issue.Pre-fabs, in light of the rush for the ‘turn-key’ homes,Discount NFL Jerseys, would take more relevance with the Ministry’s plan to open u