Georgetown: The Ministry of Public Infrastructure announced that residents of the Parika-Goshen Road Project do not have to fear that their homes will be demolished. Rather, the most extreme form of action will be the relocation of homes found to be in the direct path of the proposed site.
Recent reports indicate that statements claiming that homes will be demolished to facilitate the project have been circulating. These statements have, understandably, caused panic in residents of the community of the Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo squatting community.
Currently, the project is in its design and consultancy phase. When this process is completed, then it will be determined if relocation, not demolition, is necessary.
It must be noted that the relocation of homes to facilitate projects is not unusual. For example, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway project saw the relocation of 19 homes in Timehri North. These homes were relocated some 200 metres away. Additionally, this process featured several consultations with the residents over an extended period of time.
If – following the design process – residents of Parika Façade must be relocated, they will be duly consulted on the way forward.
Furthermore, while the Ministry supports community interactions on projects, we must encourage all interested persons to be duly informed and educated before publicly communicating on projects. Furthermore, those who have reportedly been deliberately sharing misinformation are urged to cease this practice.
Residents and other persons who are interested in the Parika-Goshen Road Project are free to contact the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on 226-4368 for any other information.
