Public Works Ministry launches hotlines, moves to enforce road regulations

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill on Thursday issued a series of stern warnings to the public regarding derelict vehicles, encroachments, and damage to public infrastructure, while announcing that the Ministry of Public Works has established two new hotlines – one for citizens and another for contractors – as part of efforts to strengthen public engagement, improve efficiency, and ensure accountability in the execution of infrastructure projects.
To improve communication and service delivery, the Minister announced that the dedicated hotlines will be 624-2964 for citizens to report issues such as stalled projects, encroachments, and poor con-tractor performance and 624-2965 for contractors to raise concerns regarding payments, project delays, or operational challenges.
Both hotlines will accept WhatsApp messages, photos, and videos and will be monitored by specially designated staff in the Minister’s office to ensure swift action and accountability.
“It is one way of improving citizen satisfaction, ensuring efficiency and implementing Government programs in a manner that benefits the people. And we will publish this in the media and the various areas,” the Minister explained.
“We are establishing a hotline for interaction and engagements with citizens. And this will be a cell number that you could post pictures and messages to, and this will be addressed on a daily basis by specially designated staff that will be operating out of the Minister’s office. It will not just be someone receiving messages. They will bring it to the attention of the Minister, and the responsible engineer and responsible program manager will have to act immediately.”

Encumbrances
According to Minister Edghill, the Ministry will be moving swiftly to remove derelict vehicles and oth-er encumbrances from road shoulders and parapets across the country He explained that vehicles without wheels, doors, or those overtaken by vegetation and abandoned along public roads will be taken to the Government’s derelict site on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and crushed into scrap.
“It is a safety issue It is also a security issue,” the Minister said.
“Over the last year, we have been moving to the derelict dump site the vehicles of all sizes and de-scriptions. I think now Guyanese are becoming tired and fed up we will continue to remove derelict vehicles across the road network across Guyana. So I’m giving notice. Because some people often say they didn’t notice.”
Edghill also warned operators of excavators and other heavy machinery that use steel-tracked treads on public roads will be held financially responsible for any damage caused to the asphalt or road shoulders.
“They’re digging into the asphalt, destroying road shoulders, and we are indicating that this practice must stop. We have been talking to people, and we have been engaging, so the time has come where we will have to enforce. so I’m giving notice,” he declared.
The Minister further stated that motorists who destroy public infrastructure – such as lamp posts, traffic lights, guard rails, bridges, or culverts – during accidents will also be required to cover the full cost of repairs. The Ministry, he said, is working with the Guyana Police Force to ensure such cases are pursued.
“If you damage public property, you will be made to pay for it. Our legal team will pursue, ensuring that the cost of repairing would be borne by you,” he said.
In addition, the Ministry will be taking a tough stance against overloaded heavy-duty trucks, warning that those caught carrying more than the legal axle load will be stopped immediately.
“If you are caught carrying more load than what is allowed based on the axle of your vehicle, you will be stalled right where you are,” Edghill declared. “You will not be allowed to continue to destroy roads and bridges.”
Vehicles transporting sand and aggregates were also put on notice about the need to ensure they are operating with secure tailgates and that the cargo is well covered to avoid falling on top of vehicles that are behind these trucks.

Encroachments
Minister Edghill also put businesses and vendors on notice that encroachments on road shoulders, footpaths, and Government reserves will not be tolerated. Items placed on public spaces – including containers, construction materials, and merchandise – will be removed, and owners will have to pay the cost of removal before retrieving their property.
“We want businesses to develop. The Government is a Government that helps and assists businesses. But we have to operate in a framework of law and order… We have to bring order back to society,” Edghill said.
The Minister assured that the Ministry’s enforcement measures are not intended to be punitive but are necessary to ensure public safety and preserve Guyana’s growing network of new roads and highways.
There is no need for a stand-off. We must have public education and we must be able to cooperate and work together,” he said. “So notice is given. Let the conversation be one that will benefit all of us,” he asserted.