RESIDENTS of D’Andrade Street, Newtown in Georgetown have called for the urgent intervention of the City Engineers’ Department of the Georgetown Municipality to address gross building code violations. 

A concerned resident in the community raised alarm that the owner of the building had not only violated building code regulations but also posed threats to safety, health and the environment to the surrounding areas.
This publication made efforts to contact the owner of the building and was instead directed to the daughter. When questioned on the alleged illegalities of the works, the daughter was most uncooperative and hostile towards the questioning reporter.
And even donned under false pretences, one Attorney-at-Law who, while in conversation with the reporter, divulged that contrary to what was previously indicated, he is not the legal representative of the individual.
After contacting the mother of the unruly daughter, who also identified herself as the owner of the premises, this publication learned that the works to be completed at the residence in question included a three-storey concrete building to be used for commercial purposes.

BUILDING, HEALTH HAZARD
From observations, it was noticeable that there was a high probability that there were several building code violations-specifically, in regards to the proximity between the two structures, the distance of the back building from the fence, and the distance between the septic arrangement, the back fence and the back building.
The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the resident had intended to utilise one septic tank for both structures. It was further made clear that at one point, the septic tank which was located at the front of the building was removed and instead a pipe dumped faecal matter directly into the back alleyway.
When concerns on the inactivity of the City Engineers’ Department in dealing with building code violations was raised with the Acting City Engineer, Mr. Ron Eastman, he made it clear that he is aware of the specifics of the case in D’Andrade Street, Newtown.
He further disclosed that the matter was discussed “at length” with the concerned resident, adding that, “an officer of the Department was sent to investigate the matter.”
When further questioned on whether the official had in fact visited the site, Eastman responded in the affirmative.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD
What was even more alarming with this case was that the contractor, on advice from the owner of the premises, had dumped materials accumulated through the foundation work into the back alleyway. Large deposits of mud were completely cast over what appeared to be concrete drainage works in the alleyway behind the premises.
Residents in Garnett Street, Newtown, which is parallel to D’Andrade Street also complained of flooding in their backyards where previously this was not the case. They disclosed that this was entirely as a result of the blockage of the alleyway drainage.
One resident in D’Andrade said he no longer enjoys the full access of his residence because of build-up in the drains in front of his premises.
The female, who identified herself as the owner made clear to this publication that the materials would be removed from the alleyway, however, when the Guyana Chronicle returned to the site two days later, it was found that the alleyway was still clogged and a zinc fence had been erected barring any view into the operations within the premises.
She maintained however, that all permission was granted by the City Council through an approved building plan to erect the structure which has now taken shape.
This case was brought to the attention of Acting Town Clerk of Georgetown, Ms. Carol Sooba on Tuesday, and she assured and indicated that the Council will be investigating the matter fully.