PPP/C seeking Gy$2.5M in compensation for damaged Linden office

Compton Fraser, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Region 10 organiser, is claiming some Gy$2.5 million for items that were damaged in the party office when a fire was set inside the building on July 18 last.
As the Linden Commission of Inquiry continued on Tuesday, with  its compensation aspect of the probe, more witnesses came forward to claim compensation for injuries sustained and/or damages to their property. This aspect of the probe is in keeping with terms of reference number three which states, “Make recommendations for compensation where necessary for injuries, losses or damages as a consequence of the events of July 18, 2012”.
Fraser, in his brief testimony, said that he had a list of losses prepared by a Linden contractor, Orin Wilson, and he had helped to attach prices to some of the items. He noted that he checked the list and then took it to Freedom House to be examined. “I showed the guy the things that were damaged like the fan and computers, and he applied the cost to each item,” he explained, while adding that the list also contains the cost of materials and labour that would be needed to repair the building.
Meanwhile, a farmer, Ramchan Jewan Mangra, is seeking in excess of Gy$1.3 million for damages done to his properties, not for any loss of income. He said that he was prepping lands which he recently acquired, when the police asked for his assistance in cutting some logs that were placed to block the roads.

Targeted
The man noted that after assisting the police, he was under constant attack from persons who invaded his farms and his “pluck station” at their separate locations, damaging and to some extent stealing his equipment.
Mangra, who had testified during last year’s hearings, underwent intense cross-examination by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Attorney Basil Williams. The attorney rhetorically told the man that he is not claiming for loss of income because he has none. Commissioner KD Knights then inquired from Mangra and after confirming, explained to the attorney that the man is seeking compensation for the losses he incurred in terms of his equipment and his stocks and not for income.
Williams also asked the farmer whether he had made any efforts to restart his business, to which the man responded in the negative. The attorney stated despite having gained profits from the four years he was in the business, Mangra chose not to restart his business, however, the man noted that he has not done so because he is trying to move his farm to the new land he got.
Commissioner Dana Seetahal had asked the farmer if he ever entertained seeking compensation from the police since all the problems stemmed from him helping them out, and he responded in the negative. Additionally, two other persons also sought compensation on Tuesday for damages done to their properties. Savatri Klautky, part owner of Mariabu Investments, a logging and sawmill company, told the commission that her company had a shipment of logs valued US$4305 to be transported and had hired someone to do so.

Damaged truck

Compton Fraser being sworn in to give evidence

The woman noted that they saw on television that the truck used to transport the logs was burnt and persons rolled off the logs and used them to “stop traffic”. She explained that they went to Linden after the unrest and the logs were nowhere to be found.
Commission Seetahal asked Klautky whether the company insures the logs and the woman replied saying “no”, but noted that it pays a royalty to the Land and Forestry Commission.
Narindra Latchman, the owner of a construction company, is claiming losses in excess of Gy$13 million as a result of his machinery being damaged. The man noted that his truck GNN 6804 had cost Gy$6 million, the excavator Gy$7.2 million and some other tools and commodities that were damaged.
When asked if he had insurance, the businessman explained that while he does, the insurance, however, does not cover damages done by fire or riot. He said that he had called the company, seeking compensation, and this was told to him by an agent. Latchman was then advised by the commission to go to the insurance company and obtain a copy of his contract so that the commissioners can see the terms and conditions set out in it. In addition, he was asked to produce the purchase receipts for the vehicles which he is seeking compensation for.