GuySuCo issues controversial lease to Montrose businessman

Residents of Montrose on the East Coast of Demerara raised concerns about an issued release of a reserved plot of land that borders the right-hand side of the Montrose main road after developmental work is being undertaken by a businessman in the community.
According to the Chairman of the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Zaman Shaw, the reserve is currently being maintained by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Council has no control over the

issue of the reserve’s release.
“The land is managed by GuySuCo, we the NDC have nothing to do with it, all we’re asked to do is be present when the Police come to remove an illegal structure on the reserve. So it was GuySuCo who issued the release,” Shaw said.
This came in response to a letter published in Tuesday’s edition of Guyana Times with headline “Who issued the lease for reserve land?”
The letter had stated that a massive piece on a stretch of reserve land has been fenced and construction works are ongoing. It further stated that the reserve land is a major part of the drainage system for the Montrose and adjoining areas.
It is through this stretch of land that water flows to access the outfall which channels the water to and through the koker via the Montrose pump. This reserve thus plays a crucial role in draining heavy rainfall or any overtopping of the sea defences.
Moreover, the letter further stated that the residents of the area said they were told by the staff/Councillors of the Better Hope/LBI NDC and the staff of the Communities Ministry that a lease was issued but did not revealed by whom.
This lease that was issued is held at the Better Hope- Heatwave Band LBI NDC.