A THOROUGH investigation has been launched into the establishment of illegal structures along the Charity sea defence river dam in the Charity/Ursara district in Region Two.
On Tuesday, a delegation which included Region Two Chairman, Vilma Da Silva; Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Odit; Sea Defence Engineer, Saeed Mohamed, and Councillor of the Regional Democratic Council, Fawaz Baksh, visited the area and met with residents.

Several concerns were raised including the building of illegal structures that are impeding traffic and several businessmen constructing their private wharf. Residents said these businessmen are charging exorbitant fees to poor farmers.

In response, Da Silva said she has seen first hand that private structures are indeed blocking traffic and making the area impassable. While she acknowledged that Charity is a fast developing community, proper infrastructure such as adequate parking and toilet facilities have to be provided, especially near the sea defence dam.
David Parks, who has a fence on a portion of land close to the river dam, is claiming he has the necessary documentation, however engineers from sea defence and workers from the NDC have not seen those documents.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Parks sold the portion of land to another businessman who has the intention of building a private wharf. As such, engineers will be visiting the site to conduct further investigations.

Residents are calling for all permanent structures to be removed so that cash crop farmers can have access to conduct their daily activities. The area is used to offload and load boats, especially to persons fishing and plying the Moruca and hinterland areas.