The Ministry of Public Works says removing vagrants on state reserves is an ongoing operation as many have been occupying busy intersections and impede the free flow of traffic.

On Wednesday the ministry removed vagrants who had erected a shack on the eastern parapet of the Houston bypass, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release said. Maintenance Engineer Lloyd Rollins said these structures pose a threat to persons occupying them and to road users. He said the operation is expected to continue along the East Bank Highway as it had been pointed out that there are several areas where persons have erected structures on the reserves to conduct business. Specific areas of concern are persons selling used oil drums on the shoulder of the road at Agricola and those conducting businesses at the entrance of the Diamond Housing Scheme.

GINA said over the years government has asked persons to desist from occupying state reserves. In instances where persons had erected shacks, arrangements were made for them to be allotted land in housing areas. In other areas where vending was being conducted along the road, markets were constructed or refurbished to accommodate them.

Last year some squatters illegally occupying lands around the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri were removed because of the danger posed to the airport and the travelling public.