Government Moves to Clear Encroachments and Restore Order on Guyana’s Roadways
Guyana’s Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has issued a firm warning to businesses, motorists, and citizens across the country to remove all illegal structures and encumbrances from government reserves and road shoulders, as part of a sweeping national effort to restore order, improve safety, and maintain efficiency on the nation’s roadways.
In a recent address streamed live on Facebook, the Minister said the initiative forms part of the wider modernization and transformation drive being led by President Irfaan Ali’s administration. He emphasized that while the government encourages entrepreneurship and supports small and large businesses alike, such activity must take place within the confines of the law. The growing trend of supermarkets, hardware stores, tire shops, and even food vendors extending operations onto public road shoulders has become a major safety concern, contributing to traffic congestion and endangering pedestrians.
“It will not be allowed,” Minister Edghill declared, noting that several businesses have already been instructed to remove their goods and structures that obstruct pedestrian walkways or encroach onto public property. He explained that in some cases, businesses have taken over walkways with displays, forcing pedestrians— including schoolchildren and the elderly—to walk in the path of moving vehicles.
The Minister warned that any structure found on a government reserve or road shoulder without authorization will be removed within 24 to 48 hours and that items confiscated by the Ministry will only be returned once the owners pay the full cost of their removal. This includes containers, tires, and other items left on public property. “We have to bring order back to society,” he stated, stressing that the government cannot continue to bear the costs of clearing privately placed obstructions.
A particular concern, the Minister highlighted the emergence of permanent structures built with concrete and steel along roadways, which not only violate public safety standards but also encourage further encroachment. Cease orders have already been issued for several such constructions, and failure to comply will result in their removal by the Ministry.
While the enforcement effort will be strict, Minister Edghill underscored that the government’s intention is not to hinder economic activity but to ensure that development occurs in a controlled and regulated manner. “President Ali and the PPPC administration are not about taking bread out of anyone’s mouth,” he said. “We must cooperate and work together to keep our country safe and organized.”
To improve communication and public participation, the Ministry of Public Works has introduced two new hotlines. The first, reachable at 624-2964, allows citizens to report road-related issues such as encroachments, derelict vehicles, or unaddressed construction works. The second, 624-2965, has been created specifically for contractors to report administrative delays, payment concerns, or other issues affecting project execution. Both lines will operate through WhatsApp, allowing for the submission of photos, videos, and messages directly to the Ministry.
The Minister also addressed other ongoing efforts, including the removal of derelict vehicles, recovery of costs from motorists who damage government property, and enforcement against overloaded trucks that destroy newly built roads and bridges. He noted that over the past year, the Ministry has spent significant sums clearing abandoned vehicles and debris from public spaces—a cost he described as “unnecessary to the state but unavoidable in the interest of public safety.”
Enforcement teams have been instructed to act immediately upon discovering any new encroachment, and engineers or technicians who fail to ensure prompt action will be held accountable. The Minister appealed to citizens to cooperate, emphasizing that the government’s goal is to create a safer, cleaner, and more efficient road network across all ten administrative regions.
