Community members from Cummings Lodge, Industry, and Better Hope, on the East Coast of Demerara, recently attended meetings hosted by the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, to receive updates on the progress of the East Coast Demerara Highway and Orange Nassau road development projects.
At the Cummings Lodge meeting, some residents voiced their apprehension regarding the demarcation of their lands in relation to government reserves, however, Minister Edghill assured the gathering that such issues could be addressed. He emphasised that should the government acquire any portion of their land or affect their drainage by up to five feet, compensation would be provided, as stipulated by the laws of Guyana.
attention at the community meeting (Ministry of Public works photo)
He also mentioned that in cases where disputes may arise regarding the boundaries of government reserves, the affected persons can visit the Ministry of Public Works for resolution. “If you have a transport or title that shows what we call reserves is your land, there is only one way to resolve it: you bring your document and we will get the ministry’s surveyor along with the contractor’s surveyor to survey and establish the boundary.”
Edghill noted that while the ministry is committed to working with the residents, there needs to be collaboration between the residents and the contractor so that works can be completed in a timely manner.
In an effort to allay some of their concerns, he told the residents that works being done by the Chinese nationals on the roadways are being monitored by an international firm hired by the Government of Guyana. “We are not going to drag you out and stress you,” he promised the residents as he reiterated his commitment to a having a smooth work flow.
The Works Minister referred to an interaction he had with some farmers in the community of Beehive on the old railway line, where they were planting and were offered compensation for the land since new roads were to be built in the area. “We went to NAREI [National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute] and the officers went inspect everything on the farm, counted how many pepper trees, how much cherry trees, and worked out a price to compensate them. They have been paid, they’re gone and the road is moving.” He used this as an example to reassure residents that the ministry was not moving recklessly. “This is a major development; we are not operating recklessly, we are doing what needs to be done to ensure that the road is built and people’s lives are improved.”
During his address to the residents in Better Hope, he stated, “I know these road works are an inconvenience but it’s for the greater good. There will be some inconveniences but minimum.” He acknowledged that while it may not be something that people readily accept, “it is for the greater good of you and your neighbour.”
Minister Edghill informed that the road works will now encompass four lanes, citing the ongoing conversion of the South Ruimveldt Aubrey Barker road into a four-lane thoroughfare that will extend all the way into Enmore.
