Wrong and strong foreign company ‘Superior Concrete Inc.’ disrespects Gov.’t Minister

Directors of Superior Concrete Inc, Ian Jones and Richard Shamlin (News Room Guyana Photo)

The Ministry of Housing and Water on Tuesday evening condemned the disrespect by Superior Concrete Inc. and its representatives towards Government Minister Colin Croal.

As a consequence, the ministry as reassured that strict action against the owners of the illegal Concrete batching facility which trades under the name Superior Concrete Inc.

The establishment operates at Huston, East Bank Demerara and has been blatantly refusing to honour a cease and desist order which was ordered by the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority is the authorized body that represents zoning and would need to grant approval for activities and works within or outside of housing designated areas.

A statement issued by the Ministry Tuesday evening said the owners and affiliates of the company have been disrespectful to the Minister of Housing Collin Croal and staff with the most recent incident occurring on Tuesday.

Minister Croal, CEO of the Central Housing and Planning Authority Sherwyn Greaves, staff of the Enforcement Department and members of the media, showed up to serve a third Contravention Notice to the company.

Upon arrival, a man identified as Maxwell Snow signed as receiving the Contravention Notice from the staff of the Ministry’s Enforcement Department.

However, the Ministry related that another individual identified as Richard Austin Shamlin, approached the team and proceeded to ask them to exit the location, stating it was private property and he will not engage the team.

It was pointed out in the statement that while the Government continues to create an atmosphere conducive to investment, “these investments must come through the right channel at all times and more importantly the requisite permits must be sought.”

The company is building a facility without the required permission from the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.

As such, it added that “[the Ministry] will not condone or tolerate illegality of any form by individuals or companies interested in conducting business.

The statement added that anyone found culpable of aiding the operations will also be dealt with.

“We reiterate that law and order must prevail and we will continue to ensure that this is done in the execution of our mandate as provided for under our Land Use Policy,” the Ministry said.

Prior to this event, the Ministry said the first Cease and Desist order was served by the agency to Mr. Ian Jones on May 5th, 2021 who destroy and discard the document in the presence of the serving officer.  This was followed by a second notice which was served on May 8, however, no one was at the location and as customary the notice was placed and secured at the establishment.