36 households to relocate from Parika Sea Dam to facilitate new waterfront project 

Mar 08, 2026 News

---

(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Housing through the Central Housing and Planning Authority has identified 36 families along the Parika Sea Dam who will be relocated to pave the way for the construction of a modern international port facility at Parika, Region Three.

According to information provided by the ministry, Minister Collin Croal and a team from CHPA visited the Parika Sea Dam area on Friday to engage residents and assess the progress of the relocation exercise.

The minister during the visit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the relocation process is conducted in a fair and orderly manner.

The ministry informed that this visit follows the initial groundwork for the relocation which was done on August 22, 2025. Back in August, a joint team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Department, and the Sea and River Defence Commission conducted a site visit at the Parika Waterfront Informal Settlement to inventory households occupying the area earmarked for development.

During that assessment, 42 structures were identified, representing 36 households slated for relocation, the ministry related. Of these, 36 households were deemed eligible for house lot allocations, while the remaining occupants were found to have already benefited from previous allocations based on CHPA’s records.

The ministry noted that since then significant progress has been made in the allocation of house lots to affected families and to date, 28 households have received allocations, while six allocations remain pending as the Authority continues to finalise the process.

“The relocation itself is also advancing. Fourteen households have already successfully moved from the Parika Sea Dam to their newly allocated house lots. An additional twenty-two families are expected to relocate shortly and will receive logistical support from CH&PA, as they prepare to settle into the new area,” the ministry disclosed.

Despite the overall cooperation of residents throughout the relocation process, the Housing Ministry stated that some concerns have been raised regarding delays in some essential services in the new housing area, which are being addressed.

“This relocation initiative forms part of the Government’s broader effort to support national development while ensuring that affected residents are provided with land allocations, relocation support, and assistance to establish homes in safer and more sustainable communities,” the ministry said.

Kaieteur News previously reported that the Parika Waterfront Development Project, which the government through the Ministry of Public Works is executing in Region Three, is expected to be completed and ready in 2029. The project is estimated to cost $10.5 billion, according to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

This newspaper reported also that phase one of the project which is being undertaken by GAICO Construction, Toolsie Persaud and A&S General Contractors is already underway. Phase one includes land reclamation and sea Defence on the North and South sides of the current stelling; and the construction of the main concrete stelling, all totaling under $5billion

During a multi- stakeholder engagement and consultation meeting with residents, business owners and other stakeholders at the Parika Market tarmac last year, Minister Edghill noted that the operation of the ferry and water taxi services will not be interrupted during the construction phase.

It was reported that construction of a new Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project effectively transforming the Parika stelling into a major regional hub for transportation and socioeconomic activities and enhance operational efficiency, prioritise safety and guarantee commuters’ comfort.”

Additionally, the new modern port is aimed at increasing trade and tourism along the Essequibo Coast. Kaieteur News understands that the upgrading of the stelling is also to facilitate the arrival of the new Regional Ferry Service that is said to operate out of Guyana from Parika.

President Irfaan Ali announced last year, that the new facility will include the construction of a marina to support the country’s tourism sector. Notably, he said to support the port, they have to invest in some key infrastructure at Parika which would include the construction of a modern Customs and Immigration office, a modern Fire Service, a modern Coast Guard building, a modern Police Service, and importantly to support the farmers, they intend to invest in a modern storage facility. The Parika Stelling, which borders the Essequibo River, serves not only as a passenger loading and offloading area, but also as a waterfront where farmers take their produce from the hinterland to sell.

---

• Parika Ferry Stelling, Parika Sea Dam, relocate, waterfront project

---