Subryanville residents opposed to unauthorised occupation of playing field

Dear Editor,
The unconsented residents of Subryanville are vehemently opposed to the unauthorized occupation of Farnum’s Playing Field by the developers of Mae’s Schools, David and/or Judy Sugrim.
To date, David and/or Judy Sugrim has/have not established ownership of either Mae’s Schools or of the properties located at 9, 19, and 29 Third Avenue, Subryanville.
However, both statutory bodies, CHPA and M&CC, continue to allow the construction of a prefab building that occupies in excess of 10 of the 24 house lots that comprise Farnum Playing Field through their non-response, silence, and inaction. In conjunction with the Ministry of Sports, Mae’s Schools are, in fact, occupying the eSubryanville residents opposed to unauthorised occupation of playing fieldntire Farnum’s Playing Field.
The government agencies, in letters addressed to the various agencies, starting with the Ministry of Education on September 1, 2025, in their non-response, silence, and inaction are, prima facie, in collusion with these aforementioned statutory bodies, M&CC and CHPA, enabling both a situation of land grabbing and the endangerment of children being schooled on an unregulated active construction site.
This matter was raised with the General Secretary of the recently re-elected PPP/C party, who responded that a cease-and-desist order was granted in or around October 7, 2025. The said land grab and child endangerment issues were brought to the attention of His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Both messages are attached and marked appropriately.
To date, construction works continue on the unauthorized prefab structure occupying about half of Farnum’s Playing Field without any permission. At a community meeting held at Farnum’s Playing Field to meet Councilor Dyal, the Subryanville representative on M&CC, to highlight the issues, the Mayor, City Engineer, and Councilor Jacobs also attended uninvited.
The mayor, however, admitted that the residents were not consulted. There was also an admission that no permission for the prefab was granted by all M&CC representatives at the aforementioned community meeting. To date, the residents remain unconsented and vehemently oppose this development and the rental of Farnum’s Playing Field.
The residents attended three statutory M&CC meetings and expressed their opposition. At the first said statutory meeting held on September 15, 2025, the residents requested proof of ownership of Mae’s Schools, an agreement of sale, and the aforementioned properties at Third Avenue, Subryanville, along with the minutes of statutory meetings held in March, September, and the minutes of the City Works Group meeting held on September 10, 2025.
Kindly note that this City Works Group meeting with decisions disclosed on October 13, 2025, at the statutory meeting was held before any application was delivered to M&CC. A photo captured on September 11, 2025, was acknowledged as received by M&CC, submitted by one David Sugrim purporting to be the owner of Mae’s Schools.
At the statutory meeting held on September 15, 2025, the image was handed out and then quickly retracted. It is unsure if this plan was submitted to either and/or both M&CC and CHPA. The Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority has confirmed that Mae’s Schools registration shown in both the phone image and contained in the PDF marked Mae’s Agreement has been struck off the Business Name Register.
Therefore, at the time of application and to date, David Sugrim and/or Judy Sugrim do not have any legal documents establishing ownership. To date, none of the requested documents have been provided in a legally compliant format. The Guyana Power and Light Inc. illegal feeds have been highlighted to the management team and Boards of Directors.
Kindly note the potential danger of the electrical feeds on the combustible tree, et al. Mae’s Schools would not have insurance given that they have no legal standing in either the burnt site or on Farnum’s Playing Field. To date, no action has been taken. The Ministry of Education has been notified of the unauthorized operation of a private school on community ground without any permission being granted, and no action has been taken.
The residents wrote to the CEO, Legal Department, and Junior Minister of Housing and Water seeking both an audience with them and demanding adherence to the Laws of Guyana. The residents sought to have a contravention order issued as was done with alacrity in Brickdam under the Town and Country Planning Act.
To date, no response has been received. The residents of Subryanville were granted such an order in 2018 when Mae’s Schools were attempting to exclusively occupy the eastern portion of Farnum’s Playing Field.
Then it was on a smaller scale. The first contact with CHPA for the residents ‘ opposition to the unauthorized usage of Farnum’s Playing Field without consultation was initiated at the end of August 2025. The residents of Subryanville have for over 30 years maintained the ground by weeding it every two weeks. The M&CC to date has never contributed to its upkeep.
The residents of Subryanville continue to oppose this unauthorized takeover of their community open green recreational space, Farnum’s Playing Field, which was gifted to the communities of Subryanville and Kitty in the 1940s by the Chairman of the Kitty and Alexanderville Country Authority. The demand is made for adherence to the Laws of Guyana and the rule of law.
The Residents find it incomprehensible why government agencies, ministries, along with the Statutory Authorities, M&CC, and CHPA, are favoring a fee-paying school, which is a for-profit business not in legal alignment and without insurance, over the opposition of the rights of the Residents to the full usage of the community open green recreational space, never maintained by M&CC. Mae’s Schools has an alternative location at Farm that may be used.
An advertisement for this is on the fence at the entrance of the unauthorized occupied portion of Farnum’s Playing Field. Furthermore, the aforementioned government agencies, ministries, and statutory authorities may help Mae’s School find an alternative location that would not inconvenience anyone, especially the Residents of Subryanville.
The Ministry of Education and the Office of the President offered to help in the aftermath of the fire. This format of unauthorized occupation of our community ground, Farnum’s, is completely rejected by the Residents of Subryanville. The Residents of Subryanville hereby give permission to the media to have access to the information contained herein and attached herewith for publicity purposes. All for your information and action.
Kindly communicate through this email.
Thank you.

Kind regards,
The Residents of
Subryanville