Citizens call on Govt. to preserve historical sites

Apr 26, 2026 News

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…as reports of bulldozing at Fort Island spark serious concerns 

(Kaieteur News) – Historian and Professor of Africana Studies Nigel Westmaas says he is “very disturbed” by reports of bulldozing activity at Fort Island, warning that in Guyana’s 60th year of independence, authorities must show greater respect for the country’s historical legacy.

“I think in the 60th year of independence we have to be considerate of our long history of enslavement and indentureship,” Westmaas told Kaieteur News yesterday, warning that national monument, many of which were built by enslaved Africans, should not be altered “precipitously because of some economic narrative about development.”

He called for collaboration among the state, the National Trust of Guyana, and wider society to safeguard what he described as the nation’s patrimony. His remarks come amid mounting criticism from citizens, academics and cultural commentators over reported land clearing and excavation near Fort Zeelandia, one of Guyana’s most significant colonial-era sites.

Fort Zeelandia, constructed in the mid-18th century by the Dutch using enslaved labour, is among the oldest standing structures in Guyana and forms part of a designated national monument site alongside the historic Court of Policy building. The island itself once served as the administrative centre of the Dutch colony of Essequibo, underscoring its importance as physical evidence of non-Spanish European presence in the region.

The site was officially declared a national monument in 1999 and is maintained under the authority of the National Trust, with protections outlined in law against damage, removal or alteration without permission.

Public concern has intensified as Guyana prepares to mark its Diamond Jubilee – 60 years of independence – with a series of high-profile cultural and national events under the “Homecoming” theme. The anniversary is being promoted as a major moment of reflection, unity and global engagement, featuring heritage showcases, diaspora-focused activities and traditional observances such as the Independence flag-raising ceremony.

Government officials have said the celebrations are intended not only to honour Guyana’s past but also to showcase its cultural identity and drive tourism and economic activity. However, authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, have remained silent over the recent developments at Fort Island.

Guyanese academic and environmental specialist Allyson Stoll shared in a social media post that Fort Zeelandia, which has stood on Fort Island since 1749, is a gazetted national monument declared in 1999 and built by enslaved people brought to Essequibo. She stressed that the historic structure had endured decades of neglect, erosion, flooding and looting, only to now face what she described as severe damage from recent bulldozing. Stoll argued that the actions taken do not constitute preservation but rather amount to reckless destruction of a protected heritage site.

She also pointed to the loss of a natural mangrove and vegetation barrier that took more than 25 years to develop, noting her firsthand knowledge of the site’s past condition when sections of its brickwork had already been at risk.

Citing the National Trust Act, Stoll emphasised that the law mandates the preservation of buildings and places of national, historic and environmental importance, along with the protection of their surroundings. She added that the Act makes it an offence to damage or interfere with a national monument without written permission from the National Trust, with penalties including fines and potential costs for restoration.

Veteran broadcaster Enrico Woolford suggested that forthcoming official statements would likely frame the activity at Fort Zeelandia as routine ground grading, downplaying concerns about potential damage to the historic site. He argued that authorities may emphasise that operators were instructed to avoid disturbing visible ramparts, and that preparations for Guyana’s 60th Independence flag-raising ceremony on Fort Island were the result of broad consultation led by the National Events Secretariat.

Woolford, in a Facebook post, further contended that support from groups such as the Private Sector Commission would likely focus on anticipated economic benefits, while the Ministry of Tourism could highlight what it describes as a careful and consultative planning process.

Concerned citizen Dwayne Hackett shared that the reported destruction of parts of Fort Island using bulldozers could have wider geopolitical implications. He argued that damaging a site of such historical significance may weaken Guyana’s position in ongoing territorial sensitivities surrounding the Essequibo region, noting that the area contains key physical evidence of Dutch, not Spanish, colonial presence.

Hackett questioned the rationale behind altering centuries-old heritage structures and said those responsible for authorising any such activity should be held accountable, adding that the action raises serious concerns about the protection of national historical assets.

Fort Island, located in the Essequibo River, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Guyana’s colonial and cultural history, with continuous links to governance, trade and resistance dating back more than three centuries.
Attempts to contact Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr. Proved futile.

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• Africana Studies, bulldozing, Fort Island, historical sites

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