Dear Editor,
I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the relevant authorities who are responsible for an unauthorized furniture manufacturer that is operating at Lusignan West, East Coast Demerara. I am living next to this workshop and I am constantly affected with noise and dust emanating from it. This workshop operates at any time, even in the nights and on Sundays. The machinery being used is industrial machinery and not suitable for a residential area.
This workshop is in the process of being regularised, but to date no one in authority can advise me on the status and whether this workshop is permitted to operate during this period of regularization.
The matter has been ongoing since December 5, 2006, and in the past I have written to the NDC, EPA, Ministry of Housing and Water and the Ministry of Health.
Upon investigation, the Ministry of Housing and Water advised that Lusignan West is not within their jurisdiction and that the NDC is responsible for the regularization of this workshop. However, I contacted the NDC and I was informed that they are only responsible to give a no objection letter and that the EPA have the final say in this matter. I made contact with the EPA on this issue and no definite answer was given on the regularisation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was the only agency that came to my assistance with respect to the noise nuisance emanating from this workshop. I would like to express my gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs for his investigation and finding my complaint valid. Mr Minister, this workshop is still a noise nuisance and I would appreciate if your good office could look into this matter.
Mr Editor, I am getting a royal push around with this matter and I would like to use your medium to seek clarification as to who is responsible and what is the status of the regularization.
I attach herewith all necessary correspondence relating to the above.
Yours faithfully,
Deoraj Ganesh
Editor’s note
Workshops and factories should not be allowed to open in residential areas, but the authorities have been allowing this to happen. Yourself and other residents should seek legal advice as to whether you can obtain an injunction against the owner to stop him operating on the grounds of nuisance.
