Vendors issued final removal notices, fence demolished as ECD road works advances

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Tuesday issued final removal notices to vendors and ordered the demolition of a concrete fence as the government pushes to elimination obstructions to the East Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project.

Edghill, along with a technical team, conducted visits at active project sites along the corridor.
At one location, the minister directed and witnessed the demolition of a concrete fence located within the project alignment. According to the ministry, this action followed repeated engagements with the resident, as efforts to facilitate the continuation of the works had proved unsuccessful.
In a statement following the exercise, the ministry reminded residents that “attempts to hinder or delay the execution of active projects ultimately affect the timely delivery of infrastructure improvements and provide no benefit to those seeking to obstruct the works”.
The ministry said it remains committed to engaging residents and other stakeholders as works continue and urges all affected parties to cooperate with technical teams to ensure that projects can progress efficiently and be completed in the interest of the wider community.
It explained that in cases where a resident’s property sustains damage as a direct result of the execution of the works, the ministry ensures that the matter is addressed appropriately.
“Contractors are held accountable and required to rectify such damage upon completion of the relevant works, ensuring that affected properties are restored as necessary and that residents are not left to bear the burden of damage resulting from the project,” the ministry said.

Vendors
In addition to the demolition exercise, the ministry has issued final removal/relocation notices to vendors operating within the alignment of the project at the Railway Embankment at Buxton.
The notice follows efforts by the ministry to facilitate the relocation of vendors affected by the ongoing infrastructure works.
As part of this process, a lottery exercise was conducted to allocate spaces at a newly constructed tarmac adjacent to the Buxton-Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
A total of 61 persons participated in the allocation process, providing affected vendors with an alternative location from which to continue their operations.
Despite this arrangement, some vendors have yet to relocate, resulting in a delay to the continuation of works along the Railway Embankment at Buxton.
According to the ministry, the continued presence of vendors and other activities within close proximity to the active construction zone also presents significant safety concerns for the vendors, workers and other members of the public.
During the site visit yesterday, Minister Edghill emphasised the need for immediate compliance to allow the works to proceed safely and without further interruption.
The minister said the government recognises the importance of accommodating persons who may be affected by major infrastructure projects, however, he stressed that once alternative arrangements have been put in place, stakeholders are expected to cooperate with the relocation process, particularly where their continued presence poses a risk to public safety and impedes the execution of critical infrastructure works.
In this regard, the ministry is therefore reminding residents, vendors, businesses and all other stakeholders located within the direct alignment of active project areas that their cooperation with contractors is essential to ensuring that projects can progress within the required timelines and to the benefit of the wider community.
The ministry said remains committed to engaging stakeholders and facilitating practical solutions where possible. At the same time, it said it will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that critical public infrastructure projects are not unnecessarily delayed and that construction activities can be undertaken in a safe, orderly and efficient manner.

Over 80% complete
The US$192 million East Coast Demerara Road Expansion Project in Guyana is over 80% complete and on schedule to meet its extended deadline of October 31, 2026, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported in May.
The massive undertaking is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion along the busy East Coast corridor, improving travel times and road safety for thousands of commuters.
As of May 2026, 20.70 kilometres of the targeted 38.50 kilometres of asphalt paving have been executed, 30 of the 33 bridges were already completed and 71 of the 75 culverts were fully constructed. Additionally, some 24.00 kilometres of box drains, out of the required 25.30 kilometres, had been installed.
The project is being executed by China Railway First Group Co. Limited and upon completion, will see the railway embankment corridor from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau transformed into a modern four-lane roadway.