New form of squatting must be addressed

Feb 08, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

There is a massive infrastructural programme on in Guyana, and it is the transformation of our country into a modern state. However, while these developments are taking place, there is the silent, slow and insidious movement of squatters on to government reserves.

This newest phenomenon comes in various forms, such as the setting up of booths on government parapets and roadways, their motive to convert government reserves into their own private investment. If this lawlessness is not addressed early, it has the potential to escalate into greater nuisance, such as traffic jams and the intentional blocking of public thoroughfares.

Then, there are the actions of some big businessmen who believe that a new road means that they can use government reserves for their own private parking. Others have converted roadways as their motor vehicular workshops; you can see rows of vehicles parked illegally on roadways. Again, roadways and parapets have become parking lots leading to a bottleneck in traffic flow. Already some of these businessmen, as we commonly say, have fallen into The Bishop’s Mouth, where swift action had to be taken to address the crazy situation that existed there. Some had to make a monetary contribution to get those vehicles removed

Other folks extend their boundaries way past the designated surveyor’s paal; these encumbrances extend way on to roadways. This is unacceptable under any circumstance and must stop now.

Yes, the time is now, that every illegal structure, every roadside minimart, every illegally parked vehicle, must be dismantled. Public roads and government reserves must be there for what the name suggests “reserves,” and for no other purposes.

As Guyana moves forward in its massive transformation, some adjustments have to be made. When I speak of adjustments, I am talking about strict adherence to building codes, for new homeowners, when building plans are drawn, there ought to be enough room left for the parking of (at least two vehicles). With development moving at a fast pace, more and more persons are becoming owners of vehicles which means that parking must be catered for on one’s own property and not on public roads and reserves; these are not designed for that.

For truckers and owners of large vehicles of haulage, you too would have to make your own parking space; that is, away from reserve shoulders and parapets. If you are located in an area where there are no parking spaces, then you will have to rent parking spaces for your vehicles. The same rule applies for those who use government roadways as their workshops.

As we move forward in this upward trajectory of development, these and other important areas have to be looked into. I have directed this letter to the minister of public infrastructure for his urgent attention and consideration

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