Ferguson Challenges Croal on Lapses in Zoning and Housing Oversight

Former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament and Minister Annette Ferguson has raised serious questions about the state of zoning enforcement and housing oversight in Guyana, directly challenging the Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, on the administration’s handling of urban development. Ferguson, who previously held ministerial responsibility for housing, brought her firsthand experience in the sector to bear in her critique.

In a letter to the editor, Ferguson warned that “established rules and by-laws governing housing and community development are increasingly being flouted, with little or no visible punitive action taken by the relevant authorities.” She highlighted that several housing schemes developed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) have not been formally transferred to local democratic organs, weakening oversight and regulatory enforcement.

“Since the return of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to office in 2020, the Honourable Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Colin Croal, publicly committed to strengthening zoning regulations and restoring order to housing schemes,” Ferguson wrote. “However, the current realities on the ground suggest that zoning enforcement is no longer treated as a priority, thereby creating a ‘free-for-all’ environment in which virtually any activity is permitted, regardless of its impact on surrounding residents.”

Ferguson emphasised that zoning is “a critical planning tool that ensures the orderly use of land, protects residential communities from incompatible commercial and industrial activities, and safeguards public health, safety, and environmental standards.” She cited encroachments in residential areas by commercial and quasi-industrial activities—including the parking of large fuel tanker trucks, heavy-duty vehicles, and stockpiling of construction materials—as “serious environmental, safety, and public health hazards” that are degrading the quality of life.

The former minister directly questioned Minister Croal on policy and enforcement matters, asking:

• “Has there been a change in the policies governing zoning and the operation of housing schemes?”

• “If so, when was this policy change made, and was it formally communicated to the public?”

• “What enforcement mechanisms are currently in place to address recalcitrant individuals who are in clear violation of zoning regulations and housing by-laws?”

Ferguson also cited specific examples from communities like Eccles, where fences exceed legally mandated heights, and CHPA oversight appears minimal. Drawing on her own experience as a former minister responsible for housing, she recalled when Georgetown neighborhoods, such as Bourda, maintained order and respected residential norms.

She noted that commercial developments, like Bakewell Bakery, integrated into neighborhoods without dominating them or violating residential standards. Similarly, areas such as Albert and North Road were developed in ways that “enhanced the urban landscape without encroaching upon or diminishing the rights of neighbouring property owners.”

Analysts observing the situation say Ferguson’s questions reflect deeper challenges in Guyana’s urban planning framework, particularly the difficulty of balancing rapid development with environmental, safety, and community standards. The absence of clear enforcement mechanisms and formal transfers of housing schemes to local authorities may exacerbate tensions between residential and commercial land use.

Ferguson concluded by calling for accountability and transparency, stating: “I look forward to hearing or reading responses to the issues raised above, in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the orderly and sustainable development of our communities.”