I refer to a letter from a Mr. Mohamed I. Ally published in the Stabroek News on 30 October, 2009 page 7 under the caption: `I strongly support this demolition campaign on the State Reserves but it must be done fairly’.
First of all, I wish to thank Mr. Ally for his expression of appreciation of the achievements particularly in relation to the improvement of public infrastructure with regard to the road network, by this Administration, since its advent to office in October, 1992.
Illegal occupation of the state reserves started long before the present Administration took office and is one of grave concern since it has affected, to a great extent, the development programme of the Government in relation to the clearing of certain canals and drains as well as rehabilitation of roadways in a number of areas.
In the past this has resulted in flooding during the rainy seasons causing untold losses and damages to property. It has also been a threat to safety on the roads.
As a consequence of the wanton disregard by some to squat and/or illegally occupy the state reserves, a conscious decision was taken at the level of the Cabinet to clear all state reserves in keeping with the Roads Act Cap. 51:01 of the Laws of Guyana.
In 2007, the Government embarked on an exercise to clear the East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara Public Road reserves of all encumbrances, inclusive of derelict vehicles, sand mounds, construction waste and buildings. After the East Bank Demerara Road, the West Coast Demerara public road was then targeted and the Demolition Crew is now working in that location.
With regard to certain specific issues raised by the writer, the Ministry wishes to comment on some of these:-
M & M’s issue – all lands occupied by the M & M’s Snackette Chain on the East Bank Demerara, had been lawfully acquired and the Ministry had no part in their acquisition.
Claims of the Right-of-Way encroachment by the Two Brothers Gas Station in Eccles – a portion of that structure is on the state reserve and action is being taken to correct this situation.
The structures encroaching the Right-of-Way on the Railway Embankment in the vicinity of the Plaisance Village – all occupants have been served with Violation Notices.
Buxton – Buxton Public Road was one of the first areas cleared of illegal structures by the Ministry in 2008.
In respect of the illegal structures on the Buxton Railway Embankment, notices were served.
Demolition by the Ministry is done in a systematic way and an approved procedure is followed. First violation notices are served to the owner of the structure or object that is in the right of way.
Depending on the nature of the violation, and the danger it poses to the driving public, different time periods ranging from immediately to fourteen days are given for the owner to remove the object in violation. Once this time period has elapsed, a team from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications will take action.
In many instances the officials of the Ministry have shared notices to individuals more than three times before acting. On many occasions the Ministry’s employees have been subject to abuse and sometimes even threatened by the occupants. This has however, not prevented the Ministry from carrying out its mandate as approved by Cabinet
In addition, I wish to point out that the Ministry of Public Works and Communications has been carrying out this exercise in a fair and impartial manner. All those who are occupying state reserves and do not remove within the stipulated time will be dealt with equitably.
There has never been, nor will there ever be, partiality or any discrimination in the treatment of those in illegal occupation of state reserves.
I am happy to note that Mr. Ally supports this demolition campaign on state reserves and wish to assure him that all will be dealt with fairly and equitably. There will be no sacred cows in this exercise.
Everyone who is occupying state reserves should take note and remove. The Demolition Crew is being strengthened and is coming.
Yours faithfully,
Balraj Balram
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Public
Works and Communications
