Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Gov’t takes strong action against illegal concrete plant, Director given 7 days to leave Guyana
The Government of Guyana has taken strong action against the operators of an illegal concrete plant adjacent to South Ruimveldt Gardens in Georgetown on a portion of land facilitated by Guyanese, Andrew Mekdeci, and which is leased from the owner, Michael Vieira of Houston Estates.
On Tuesday, hours after Richard Shamlin, one of the directors of the company, Superior Concrete Inc, was seen abusing the Housing Minister, Collin Croal and officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Head of the Immigration Support Services, moved to revoke the work permit of Ian Jones, another director.
In the letter seen by the News Room, the government has given Jones seven days with effect from May 12, 2021, to depart Guyana.
The immigration department discovered that Jones’ services were terminated by his previous employers – an oilfield company – but he continued to work in Guyana on the same work permit. As such, the government moved to cancel the work permit and extension of stay. It is likely that the director who abused the housing officials, Richard Shamlin, may also suffer the same fate.
A third Contravention Order was served on the company on Tuesday by the CH&PA after it was found that they illegally constructed a concrete plant in the community without the requisite permissions from the relevant authorities, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
The News Room understands that when the first Order was issued to the company, it was Jones who tore it up and discarded it.
The News Room has reported that the facility is being set up by three foreigners, who have incorporated a local company.
Residents have become frustrated with the foreigners and have filed several complaints with the authorities and even moved to the court.
Residents say dozens of trucks, some of which belong to the Mekdeci Mining Corporation(MMC) whose principal is Andrew Mekdeci, are now traversing the streets on a constant basis. The road is now in a deplorable condition; it was recently repaved in the last few years.