Public Works Minister Robeson Benn has put errant persons on notice, declaring that all illegal structures on government’s reserves will be demolished.
Speaking with Guyana Times International in a recent interview, Benn said “They either remove the stuff or we will come and move it,” noting that his ministry will be moving “aggressively”.
His comments came following the end of a seven-year conflict between the Public Works Ministry and BM Soat over illegal structures on public land at Success, East Coast Demerara.
Proprietor of BM Soat Bhashir Mohamed through his lawyer, Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday, January 6 filed a Notice of withdrawal and discontinuation on the matter in the Court of Appeal.
Court decision
He had appealed a court decision made by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, who squashed a conservatory order that prevented the Public Works Ministry from demolishing structures on government’s reserve.
But with Mohamed’s most recent decision to abandoned the court matter and adhere to the Public Works Ministry’s stipulated boundary guidelines, Benn said the coast is now clear for the continuation of the road expansion project on East Coast Demerara.
As the expansion project progresses, all infrastructures that have surpassed the 1973 property boundary line would be cleared, paving the way for the completion of the project by the first quarter of 2014.
Minister Benn indicated that warning notices were sent out to defaulters; however, Mohamed was the only individual who had taken the Public Works Ministry to court, as he sought protection.
In a press statement, the Public Works Ministry said “BM Soat’s intransigence in this matter severely delayed the much needed road widening works for up to two years and placed an enormous burden on taxpayers.” The non-removal of the fence has cost the Guyana government Gy$40 million.
New fence
“It is hoped that the turnaround in Mohamed’s attitude will be an object lesson for all those who are illegally occupying government lands. Guyana’s development cannot be held hostage for the selfish interest of a select few,” the ministry said.
When Guyana Times International visited the BM Soat Success branch, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday, BM Soat employees were in the process of constructing a new concrete fence in keeping with the 1973 property boundary line. Attempts to contract Mohamed, however, proved futile.
