Public Works Ministry to remove obstructions, derelicts along public roadways

The Public Works Ministry will be initiating a countrywide campaign to remove all hindrances and derelict objects along the public road network.
This is in accordance with Section 29 of the Road Act Cap 51:01 of the Laws of Guyana. The Ministry, in an advisory, reminded that the road reserve is the property of the Government. However, persons have been occupying and encroaching the road reserve, making it unsafe for all road users.
The campaign will include but is not limited to derelict vehicles or equipment, immovable vehicles, hardware stores, barber shops, rum shops, builder’s waste, roadside shop, car parks, sawmills, cargo containers, scrap iron dealers, sand or stone heap, mobile vending cart, tyre servicing, mud dumping, workshop, non-derelict object, concrete mixing, non-approved sign board, paddy drying, raised driveway and mechanic shop.
Citizens have been advised, “The Ministry is therefore advising that all encroachment placed on the road reserve be removed with immediate effect. Failure to comply will result in the Ministry utilising appropriate measures to have those encumbrances removed and charges will be administered in accordance with Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the Laws of Guyana.”
This is not the first exercise of this nature to be organised. Such practices have been linked to accidents on the roadway, prompting authorities to have them removed.
Section 29 of the Act directs, “Any property obstructing or damaging a road or canal may be seized and removed by the road officer of the district, or by anyone by him thereto authorised in writing, and, if it remains unclaimed for fourteen days after notice given to the owner thereof to come forward and claim the property, and pay all damages incurred, it shall be sold, and the proceeds paid to the Accountant General.”