The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Works, is urging citizens, owners, and operators of businesses to desist from erecting or placing structures, stationed or mobile, along thoroughfares and main access roads, especially areas identified for infrastructural development.
The Ministry said it has noted with concern, a new trend occurring, of persons hurriedly putting up structures for business purposes or otherwise, in areas that have been publicly advertised as earmarked for development.
“Persons are warned to desist from this practice, and further, reminded that it is illegal to build or place structures on a government reserve, or along highways and main access roads, the latter two being obstructions to flowing traffic,” the Ministry noted.
It added that Section 29 of the Road Act 51:01 of the Laws of Guyana, states that any property obstructing or damaging a road or canal may be seized and removed by the road’s officer of the district, or by anyone authorized by him in writing.
Persons are being especially dissuaded from hurriedly occupying these spaces in the hope of acquiring compensation, this will not be tolerated.
“We cannot in all consciousness allow persons to break the law and reward them for it. The PPP/C Government is ensuring the development of every sector for the benefit of all Guyanese, through our housing drive every category of worker is accommodated, squatters are being regularized, and businesses are given support for development, but due process must be followed, laws must be followed, we must not stand in the way of our own development, there is no need to try to trick the system,” Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill has stated.
The Ministry said that anyone found to be in contravention will be dealt with condignly.
Persons who wish to identify such breaches can contact the Ministry of Public Works via our Facebook Page, Email [email protected] or telephone No. +592-227-0799.
The Government’s warning comes on the heels of the recent eviction of close to 30 families from an area in Mocha/Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. Those persons were allegedly occupying spaces set aside for a multibillion-dollar road. They were compensated with new houses and/or farmlands.
