azruddin Mohamed

The house of Rudranauth Roopdeo, part-owner of R. Kissoon Contracting Services, at Foulis, ECD, is encroaching on government reserve. Roopdeo is the businessman previously identified in connection with allegations of abuse against his child’s mother, Elicia Gobin, and the alleged arson at her property. The two share a two-year-old son.

Two columns of the newly built house are on the government reserve, approximately one foot away from the road. The wall of the house serves as a fence. Utility lines also run through the property. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Azruddin Mohamed, is calling on Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to immediately look into this matter and ensure that the two posts occupying the government reserve are removed.

The Vice President recently visited Foulis and promised residents a better community. Residents highlighted this very issue, yet no action has been taken. Government reserve is public property and cannot be treated as a private extension of anyone’s property.

The same resources and enforcement used by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) to remove squatters and demolish their homes should be applied in this case. Many Guyanese who have applied for land and remain without an allocation do not have any alternative, and they resort to squatting, only to face aggressive enforcement from the CHPA. The Leader of the Opposition is calling for that same energy to be directed at Roopdeo and for the portions of the house occupying the government reserve to be removed.