Eccles Industrial Estate to be re-fashioned by Gov’t for conducive business zone

Government has given a commitment that they will soon undertake a proactive approach to
regularise and upgrade the Eccles Industrial Estate, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, Junior Local Government and
Regional Development Minister, Anand Persaud, engaged occupants within the commercial zone
on Wednesday. “This is the second visit to one of the estates that is under the Ministry of
Tourism, Industry and Commerce. We visited the Coldingen Industrial Estate and this is a view
to regularising all of the estates that are under the ministry’s purview,” she said.
Walrond noted that her ministry’s intention is for all industrial estates nationwide to be
conducive for business. She stressed also that assessments will be done to ensure properties are
gainfully occupied and are used for the purposes stated in the leased. “There has been a lot of
neglect and we came here today to really see firsthand what are the issues that we have to fix,”
Minister Walrond said.

She continued, “What we have encountered are issues of encumbrances of the roadway. People
not using the lands for the purpose in which they had committed in their lease. So, all of these
issues will be regularized.” Minister Walrond said too, that there are plans to resuscitate the
Eccles Industrial Estate Committee, to properly maintain the area.
Minister Persaud said following the successful consultation with business owners, all signs
indicate that development could be soon realised. “We want to make sure that the Occupational
Health and Safety (OHS) rules are adhered to. We want to ensure that fire hydrants are
functioning, we want to uplift the aesthetic of the industrial site and provide adequate
lighting,” Anand Persaud said.
He noted that further follow-ups will be made and government will engage the estate committee
and business operators to advance developmental plans.
The ministers stressed that the ministries plan to partner on similar outreaches, identifying an up-
and-coming estate in Lethem (Region Nine) as one of the future ventures.