By Marvin Cato | HGPT Nightly News|
Development works are underway for a state-of-the-art shopping mall within the compound of the historic Chateau Margot Chimney on the East Coast of Demerara, following approval granted by the Government of Guyana to Trinidad-based conglomerate ANSA McAL.
The revelation has stirred public concern, as the site—listed under the National Trust of Guyana—is one of the country’s most significant 19th-century industrial landmarks. The Chateau Margot Chimney, located approximately 12.8 kilometres (8 miles) east of Georgetown, bears the date July 1, 1889, etched into its red clay bricks. Believed to have been constructed by Buxtonian bricklayer Antonio Gordon, the chimney once served both as a functional part of a sugar plantation and as a beacon for ships navigating toward Georgetown.
During the 20th century, the British Government acquired the structure, recognizing its cultural value, before transferring ownership to the Government of Guyana upon independence in 1966.
Today, the chimney stands as a symbol of Guyana’s tangible cultural heritage, but the construction of a modern commercial complex around it has raised questions about preservation, safety, and transparency.
Residents and observers have noted that no formal announcement was made regarding the project. Instead, construction activities began quietly, without public notice or confirmation of whether the historic property had been sold, leased, or granted under a special arrangement.
Key questions remain unanswered:
- Was the land officially transferred or leased to ANSA McAL?
- Will the company be responsible for preserving and reinforcing the chimney during the construction process?
- Has the structure been assessed and cleared to withstand potential vibrations and structural shocks from ongoing works?
Given the chimney’s age—well over a century old—experts warn that improper construction could compromise its stability, raising concerns about health and safety for both workers and the community.
Repeated calls to the Minister of Culture, representatives of ANSA McAL, and the National Trust of Guyana went unanswered. Minister within the Culture Ministry, Steven Jacobs, acknowledged the inquiry and promised a response, but had not returned calls up to press time.
The Chateau Margot Chimney, once a proud emblem of Guyana’s industrial past, now sits at the center of a growing debate—whether economic modernization can coexist with heritage preservation in the country’s rapidly transforming landscape.
