“Total disrespect now” – Edghill orders immediate removal of derelict vehicles blocking roads, community spaces 

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Friday ordered the immediate removal of derelict vehicles that are blocking roads and community spaces in Georgetown.
During a visit to several areas in the capital city where derelict vehicles have been left parked, Edghill warned that the Government will no longer tolerate this level of lawlessness.
One of the sites visited was the Old Railway Embankment behind the GuyOil Gas Station, where the road is blocked by abandoned vehicles owned by Global Spare Parts and Auto Sales.
“Five times since I’ve been the Minister we have cleared this thoroughfare. Five times. It’s total disrespect now!” Edghill declared during a live broadcast from the location.
On Friday morning, he explained that a team attempted to clear the area once again but was blocked by the business owners, who ordered two heavy-duty trucks to park in a way that obstructed access to the derelict vehicles.
“They brought the heavy-duty trucks and blocked the derelict vehicles, preventing the contractors from doing their work. These trucks, I’ve called the owner who told me that he is not coming to move them,” Edghill informed, adding that an employee at the site requested more time to move the derelict vehicles.

Lawlessness cannot continue
But the Public Works Minister said this lawlessness cannot continue to occur. “The Government will have no choice but to impound these trucks and get on with its work… It’s a total disrespect to all the other people who are living in the neighbourhood.”
At Sandy Babb and Middleton Streets, Georgetown, a tarmac built for recreational purposes continues to be occupied with derelict vehicles. In a live broadcast, the Minister put the owners on notice, giving them one hour to remove the vehicles, or else they will be removed by the Government.
These enforcement activities are expected to be replicated countrywide.
Last year, Minister Edghill had issued a stern warning that derelict vehicles, encumbrances and encroachments on road shoulders and Government reserves across Guyana will be removed.
“Guyanese are becoming fatigued and fed up, and it appears that once you finish cleaning, the very same thing reoccurs,” Edghill had lamented, as he assured that the Government will intensify its campaigns countrywide.
“We are giving notice to everyone: derelict vehicles, vehicles without wheels or doors, or vehicles with bush in them that have been abandoned on road shoulders will be removed, and they will be crushed into scrap at the Government’s derelict site on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway,” the Minister had emphasised, noting that several contractors have already been engaged to assist in this nationwide exercise.
Similar to the removal of derelict vehicles, the Minister had also addressed the growing issue of businesses encroaching onto road shoulders and pedestrian walkways. As such, he said the ministry will continue to remove all encumbrances and encroachments wherever violations occur, as part of its commitment to road safety and orderliness.