Roadway obstructions: More removal orders issued as Ministry warns of enforcement action 

The Public Works Ministry has issued a notice to a business operating at Agricola, East Bank Public Road, directing the immediate removal of all encumbrances from the roadway. According to the notice, the business had until 18:00h on Thursday to clear the obstructions. The Ministry warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will result in direct action being taken to remove the encumbrances in keeping with standard procedures. In a separate removal notice, the owner of a truck parked on the roadway at Republic Gardens, two trucks at 3rd Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD); four other trucks at Diamond and one truck at Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, has been given 24 hours to remove the vehicles. The Ministry stated that non-compliance will result in the vehicles being removed by authorities. The locations of the vehicles were documented and attached to official images. The enforcement actions are part of the Ministry’s national campaign to clear roadways, road shoulders and state reserves of obstructions, including derelict vehicles and unauthorised structures.

Sophia Road expansion
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Wednesday visited the ongoing relocation exercise in ‘B’ Field, Sophia, as works continue to widen the community’s main road artery. The visit followed a meeting with local vendors during which an agreement was reached to facilitate relocation to allow the project to proceed. The widening of the main access road is intended to ease traffic congestion, improve safety and enhance transportation efficiency within the community. A total of 64 vendors are to be relocated, and the Ministry reported that 11 vendors who were operating directly within the alignment of the road project have already begun moving to a newly designated tarmac with support from the Ministry. The remaining vendors who operate along the road shoulders are to be accommodated at two additional purpose-built tarmacs to be constructed within ‘B’ Field, one centrally located and another toward the farther end of the community. The Ministry stated that this arrangement will allow vendors to continue their economic activities while ensuring the road project progresses without interruption.

During his visit, Edghill reiterated the Government’s position on the unauthorised occupation of state reserves. He stated that individuals cannot claim prescriptive rights to Government lands and made it clear that financial compensation will not be granted for the removal of structures erected on such reserves. The latest notices are consistent with previous enforcement efforts undertaken by the Ministry. On January 24, 2026, the Minister ordered the removal of derelict vehicles obstructing roads and community spaces in Georgetown. During visits to several locations, including the Old Railway Embankment behind the GuyOil Gas Station, he addressed the presence of abandoned vehicles owned by a private auto sales business that were blocking access. At the time, he warned that continued obstruction of public thoroughfares would not be tolerated and indicated that vehicles preventing contractors from accessing derelict units would be impounded if necessary. Similar directives were issued for vehicles occupying a recreational tarmac at Sandy Babb and Middleton Streets, Georgetown.
Contractors have been engaged to assist with the removal and disposal of derelict vehicles. According to prior statements by the Ministry, abandoned vehicles removed from public spaces will be transported to the Government’s derelict site along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway for disposal.