DPP to advise on PNC’s occupancy of Govt building in Lethem

The battle by Government to have the People’s National Congress (PNC) remove from the occupation of a State-owned building in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the Guyana Police Force.
Only a few days ago, there was a confrontation between former Region Nine Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker and the Police over this Government building, located opposite Boston Street in Lethem, Central Rupununi.

In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that it has prepared a file to send to the DPP.
According to the Police, the legal advice from the DPP would be awaited on before appropriate action is taken.
The Police explained in the statement that current REO, Karl Singh, made a Police complaint about Parker and associates obstructing the region’s work on the building. Parker was accused of attempting to chase away a contractor who was working on the building under a contract from the regional administration.
“On March 1 2023, at about 23:50 hrs, Police ranks in Regional Division #9, acting on information, went to the Government Building where they met (REO Singh) and six men. The REO indicated to the ranks that he had given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof, since the building belongs to the Region and it was tendered for infrastructure work to be done.
“The contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 2. At about 02:30 hours that morning, a motor pickup bearing licence plate # GRR 1100, driven by Carl Parker, and minibus bearing licence plate #BYY 755, driven by George Nicholson, arrived at the area where they started to ‘video’ the building. The contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.” The Police explained in the statement.
It was further alleged that members of the PNC subsequently came and broke off the locks for the property. The REO also said the Opposition party was served with notices to vacate the building on several occasions.
Guyana Times understands that, for decades, the PNCR have been occupying the building in question as its Lethem Office – for political purposes – despite the property (building and land) being owned by the State under the purview of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Government has, since last year, repeatedly notified the Aubrey Norton-led party to vacate the premises, since it has intentions to use the site to construct a health facility to serve the people of Region Nine. However, the PNCR have refused to comply, in consequence whereof the Government is moving to demolish the building.
Roysdale Forde of the PNCR had issued a statement expressing the party’s displeasure over the matter. Forde, on Thursday, claimed: “It matters not whether the land on which the building was situated is owned by the State or the party.”
Amanza Walton-Desir, an Attorney-at-Law and PNCR Executive, had meanwhile confirmed that the party had received notices from the Government, but claimed that due process has not been followed.
“This property has been on the Asset Register of the PNCR from the inception, in excess of 40 years. I will say as well that it is a fundamental tenet of law that one cannot be deprived of property without due process of the law. What I can say is that we are not in receipt of a court order or any court order that would indicate that there is some dispute about the ownership and possession of this property,” MP Walton-Desir told sections of the media.
However, in a statement of his own on the matter, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had explained that the illegal occupancy of the building by the PNCR was flagged on numerous occasions by the Auditor General. (G3)