The Ministry of Public Works will today begin a “clean up campaign” on the East Bank of Demerara to remove all obstructions/ encumbrances on the Main Access Road.
When contacted, Director of Public Works Geoffrey Vaughn told Sunday Stabroek that it was a “normal clean up” and added that his office is working to make sure the place is as clean as possible as fast as possible.
Asked to explain the timeline and whether these efforts were related to the expected visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vaughn declined. Pompeo is expected to be in Guyana on September 17 and 18.
According to a release from the ministry, the clean-up campaign is in accordance with Section 29 of the Road Act.
The referenced section provides that any property obstructing or damaging a road or canal may be seized and removed by the road officer of the district, or by anyone he authorizes in writing. It adds that if the property remains unclaimed for 14 days after notice to the owner to come forward and claim the property, and pay all damages incurred, it shall be sold, and the proceeds paid to the Accountant General.
The release called on the general public and violators to remove all such obstructions before the campaign commences as “all encumbrances found on the Government’s reserve during this campaign will be removed immediately with a recovery cost attached.”
As public outcry over the announcement grew on social media, the Ministry later indicated via another release that it was “a simple clean up exercise which is long overdue.”
According to the second release, efforts to keep our roadways, pavements and sidewalks clear will be done in consultation with the people and to ensure there is no disruption of economic activity.
There would not be, it noted, a “breaking down [of] facilities or removing anything from public spaces” but debris, builders’ waste, sand, and cut trees must not be allowed to encumber the roadways or the movements of pedestrians.
An invitation was extended to all citizens to join in the cleanup of their neighbourhood.
According to the ministry, encumbrances to removed include derelict vehicles/equipment, immovable vehicles, hardware stores, barber shops, rum shop and bars, builders’ waste, roadside shosp, car parks, sawmills, cargo containers, clay stockpiles/heaps, sand/stone heaps, structures, mobile vending carts, mud, non-derelict vehicles, non-approved sign boards, paddy drying and raised driveway/property access.
