Clashes erupt over leases given for house lots on cricket field
Angry Yakusari residents contemplate their next move as already one house is occupying a part to the playground
Residents of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) are calling on President David Granger to put a halt to an existing lease given to some residents of that community.
The lease is for a piece of land which is used as a community centre and also the cricket field. One person has already erected a house on the land. On Sunday it was rumored that a second person was making arrangements to transport an already constructed house to the land.
The rumors sparked protest demonstration by other residents’ mainly young persons who use the land for recreational purposes. The now disputed land is home to the Yakusari Cricket Club.
In 2012 the organisation was given $2M by government to further develop the cricket field. A pavilion was constructed and the fence rebuild.
The ‘Yakusari Community Centre’ has been the venue for several second division cricket matches in the Upper Corentyne Zone.
Chairman for the Yakusari Carib Cricket Club Motiechand Lalu says residents of Black Bush Polder want an immediate halt to leasehold titles for inside the community playground.
In a letter dated February 1, 2017, and addressed to President David Granger, Lalu says the Commission of Lands and Survey recently issuer leasehold tittles, “to residents inside the playground at Yakusari… According to the present plan at the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council], house lots are initially located inside the playground; one which occupies the position of the pavilion and another taking half of the cricket pitch,” the letter said in part.
It continued, “About six years ago residents received approval from the Land Selection Committee to occupy house lots inside the playfield. A delegation of concerned residents met me with you at your office and subsequently the Office of the Commission of Lands withdrew the approval.”
The letter says that residents were expecting the Commission of Lands to put all applications on hold.
Lalu, on behalf of the concerned residents, is asking to have all leases issued to persons for the occupation of the Yakusari Playfield, revoked.
He is also seeking to have the present layout of the land where the Yakusari Playfield canceled.
Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan has also been approached on the matter.
On Sunday, Regional Councilors including Gobin Harbhajan in his capacity, as Regional Prime Ministerial Representative visited the community centre after verbal clashes between persons representing both sides.
