President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), Rickford Burke, has intensified scrutiny of land allocations linked to the Heroes Highway, raising fresh questions about Housing Minister Susan Rodrigues’ ownership of property in the same area where residents were forcibly displaced and remain uncompensated. At the time Rodrigues was Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, with responsibility for housing.Â
In a series of statements posted on his social media page, Burke revisited the January 5, 2023 demolition of homes and businesses in Cane View and sections of Mocha, carried out by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. At the time, the government claimed the lands were required for construction of the new East Bank road. The demolitions, conducted under police supervision and overseen by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), displaced residents who were predominantly African Guyanese. According to the opposition, those affected were left without compensation.
Evidence provided by the Opposition during the construction phase showed the roadway passing through the Cane View–Mocha corridor without directly affecting several of the demolished structures. Residents lost tens of millions of dollars in homes, businesses, livestock and other property as a result of the exercise.
The controversy deepened in August 2024, when the opposition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) accused the PPP government of reallocating lands in the same vicinity to individuals allegedly connected to the ruling party. Official records show Minister of Housing Susan Rodrigues was among those who benefited.
According to documents cited by Burke (above) Rodrigues was issued a certificate of ownership for Lot 949, Plot A, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, which was registered on August 8, 2024. Burke alleged that the minister subsequently constructed a large housing complex on the property and questioned how the development was financed, while stressing that his assertions represent allegations raised in the public interest.
He also highlighted the case of Shevon Eastman, whose home, shop, inventory, livestock and business premises were destroyed during the demolitions. Burke alleged that Eastman and others affected have yet to receive compensation or alternative land, while prime properties along the highway have been allocated elsewhere.
In February 2023, several displaced residents took legal action against the government. However, after more than two years, the case was dismissed in February 2025
The CGID president has called on President Irfaan Ali and the PPP government to account for the land allocations, explain the basis on which properties were distributed along the Heroes Highway, and urgently compensate those displaced. He argued that anything short of restitution and equitable land distribution would further entrench grievances arising from the demolitions.
As of publication, the government and Minister Rodrigues have not publicly responded to the claims raised by Burke.
