Derelicts, encumbrances on roadways: 50 persons already charged as Govt intensifies removal campaign 

Some 50 persons have already been hauled before the courts as the Government intensifies its campaign to remove derelicts and other encumbrances from roadways countrywide.
This is according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who noted in a live broadcast on Wednesday that while the Ministry has been aggressive in its efforts, it is also overwhelmed by the volume of cases, including those of repeat offenders.
“So far, 50 persons have been charged and placed before the courts…150, thereabout, have been warned, and they have voluntarily removed the encumbrances,” Minister Edghill disclosed, noting that officials will continue with their campaign countrywide, with support from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and local democratic organs.
“I’m making it very clear: any thoroughfare that has been cleared of derelicts, and after it’s been cleared, persons choose to dump or to store derelict vehicles there again, in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force, we will investigate this, and you will be charged. We are moving now to charges. We are stepping up charges,” he assured.

Repeat offender
Edghill referred to the case from earlier this year when a businessman paid over $4 million to retrieve trucks seized by the Government in its derelict-removal drive. He lamented that the businessman continues to defy the law and noted that charges will be instituted against him.
“When we did the clearance of the area behind the gas station from David Street going down to Middleton Street, the owner of that establishment paid $4.2 million, I repeat, $4.2 million, to get back the trucks and so on that we have to remove. Now, if a man pays $4.2 million and then goes ahead to continue it, it means that the fines that he has to pay and the costs that he has to pay didn’t really bother him. So, we’re going to remove it, and we’re going to also press charges,” Edghill announced.
It had been reported in February 2026 that a removal exercise was conducted along the Old Railway Embankment behind the GuyOil Gas Station, where the road was blocked by abandoned vehicles owned by Global Spare Parts and Auto Sales. At that location, the owner of the auto sales had contracted two trucks to act as a barricade to the officials attempting to remove the derelict vehicles. Those trucks were also towed by the Government during its exercise. The businessman subsequently paid the fines to retrieve the vehicles but has resorted to the same actions.
“It is disrespectful and downright obnoxious, having done that four times, to go in that thoroughfare again and to see derelict vehicles being dumped there. I’m announcing publicly and giving notice: if you dump derelict vehicles, we will investigate who did it and who the owners are, and you will face the courts, because the Ministry of Public Works, in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force, is stepping up this operation,” Edghill assured.
The Public Works Minister also encouraged Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to act within their communities, expressing that “the NDCs must act. What is happening in the smaller streets that are under the control of the NDCs? They must act.” He noted that the Ministry remains available to offer support if needed.
“This dumping of derelicts and the wanton abuse and misuse of main access roads and highways must come to an end,” Minister Edghill contended.

400 clamps
Meanwhile, the Minister also announced that the Government has procured 400 clamps, which have arrived in the country and will be handed over to the GPF to help enforce the weight limit for trucks. The legal weight limit for heavy-duty trucks is strictly enforced at 15 tonnes per axle.
“Trucks that are carrying more than the 15 tonnes per axle, in keeping with the regulations that have been made, you’ll be clamped and detained, and we will be moving to charges,” Edghill said.
“Trailers and heavy-duty equipment that are being parked on road shoulders and in roadways pose great risk to motorists, both in the day and in the night. You won’t be able to get back those vehicles because we will clamp them, we will press charges, and where we need to remove, we will remove them. And in keeping with the Roads Act, you will only be able to get it back when you pay every dollar of what it costs us to move it and to transport it, and when you honour your obligation to the State, then you will get it back,” he added.