– firm action taken against encroachment on road, drainage reserves along Mandela-Eccles Highway

THE Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has taken a firm stance against illegal land use, moving swiftly to confront a business operation encroaching on vital public reserves near the Mandela–Eccles four-lane highway. In what is being described as a decisive move to uphold the integrity of public infrastructure, the agency recently served a formal Notice of Contravention to the proprietors involved.

The action comes after the CH&PA discovered that the business, either directly or through representatives, had unlawfully occupied and concreted areas designated as road reserves and drainage reserves. These acts, according to the CH&PA, contravene the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 20:01, which governs proper land development and planning in Guyana.
The contravention notice did not mince words. It directed the business owners to “immediately remove all encumbrances,” which include concrete works, construction materials, equipment, and machinery, from the affected areas. More significantly, the CH&PA has already commenced the process of dismantling the unlawful structure—a signal that enforcement will follow swiftly where there is non-compliance.

In an official statement, the CH&PA stressed that all construction and operational activities must occur strictly within the boundaries of approved properties. It warned against any action that “pose or create any hindrance to the free flow of traffic” along the increasingly busy highway corridor that links central Georgetown to the East Bank of Demerara.

Though the business had received formal approval from the authority in December 2023 for its business plan, CH&PA officials clarified that the approved site plan indicated access was to be provided via an internal access road west of the premises—not directly from the highway. The deviation from this agreed-upon access point represents not only a breach of planning regulations, but also raises concerns about road safety and traffic congestion.

This enforcement effort is part of a broader campaign by the ministry to protect public spaces and critical infrastructure from unauthorised development. Officials are sending a clear and unified message: illegal encroachments on roadways, drainage systems, and public reserves will be addressed with urgency and seriousness.

According to the CH&PA, the move serves as a cautionary tale to all developers and property owners who may be tempted to bypass legal planning procedures. The ministry has reiterated that public safety and orderly urban development will not be compromised, and businesses must work within the framework of the country’s urban planning laws.

By taking this stand, the Ministry of Housing and Water continues to assert its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Guyana’s urban infrastructure. As the country undergoes rapid transformation and development, authorities say ensuring strict adherence to planning laws is essential to sustaining progress and protecting public assets.

This action, though targeting one business today, sets the tone for broader enforcement in the future, making it clear that non-compliance will not be overlooked, and that every inch of public space matters.