Last Updated on Friday, 26 September 2025, 22:17 by Writer
The Ministry of Housing, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has stopped the “unauthorised construction works” for a proposed supermarket at a decades-old building on Brickdam and Brummel Place, the ministry said on Friday.
“No planning permission was ever issued for the development, nor is there any application pending before the Authority,” the CH&PA said.
In recent weeks, construction of an additional section to the building that once housed the offices of the Embassy of the former Yugoslavia and later the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had begun, but CH&PA said “decisive enforcement” was taken after no record was found.
“An inspection conducted by CH&PA’s Enforcement and Compliance Department confirmed that construction commenced without seeking approval from CH&PA or the relevant regulatory agencies,” the Authority said.
The CH&PA said as a result, the proprietor of the building was formally served with a Notice of Contravention in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act, Cap. 20:01, ordering the immediate cessation of all unauthorized works. “The notice was served at the residence of the proprietor and a copy affixed at the construction site.”
According to the order signed by CH&PA Secretary Rajesh Ramgolam, the owner of the building is Adam Hussein of Lot 3 Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
The Authority reiterated its commitment to supporting legitimate investment and projects that align with national planning standards, uplift communities, and contribute positively to urban development, while taking uncompromising action against any attempt to circumvent the law.
