| Residents of Lamaha Gardens are contemplating a seven-day ultimatum for the government to investigate the “illegal” sale of a plot of land in their community, and are contemplating taking matters into their own hands.Some of the residents at the meeting yesterday.Although the community’s interim committee has sought legal consultation and representation, residents have expressed little faith in the timely deliverance of justice and are thus skeptical about any immediate and meaningful outcome of legal action.At a community meeting held yesterday, chaired by the location’s interim committee head,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, Ronald Ali, angry residents lashed out at what they said was the “theft and illegal sale” of community land. They were up in arms about the transaction, with some opting to immediately tear down the “illegal fences” placed around the almost 33,000 sq ft property at 142 Durabana Square.According to the residents, the plot of land had for years been the property of the community. They are saying that apart from the land being sold illegally, it was sold way below market price to a businessman with high connections. They have further cited the sale as a corrupt and illegal act, since the lot was designated for the construction of a playground and recreation location for all residents.According to the information that emanated from the meeting, the land was reportedly sold to an individual who is said to have other properties in the area. It was also said that the proceeds from that sale have been placed in a bank account controlled by a liquidator.Lamaha Gardens, during the 1960s,China Cheap Jerseys, was being developed into a high scale residential area for senior public servants and Government officials, most of whom were members of the then Civil Service Association (CSA),Cheap NFL Jerseys China, now the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU). At the time, the controversial land was said to be under the control of the Civil Service Association (CSA) Housing Society.According to community records, the last audited report in 1989 showed that the CSA had donated the land to City Hall to be used by the community and was thus recognized to be the property of Lamaha Gardens. From the sixties to now, residents said they have paid for drainage, public space and all the expenses that came with the property.The residents said that they were totally oblivious of the land being advertised for sale. They highlighted that in November of last year they had held a community get-together and get-to-know-your-neighbour function to celebrate their hard work in community development and togetherness.It was however around that same time, Ali related, November 3, that the CSA Corporative Housing Society Limited had been dissolved by the Chief Cooperatives Officer, “because he claimed that it was proven to his satisfaction that less than seven members of that society existed.”Ali said that, “We were also totally unaware that on December 6, 2012, a liquidator had been appointed and passing of transport was advertised in the official gazette December 22, 2012 and transport passed on January 7, 2013,”during the Christmas holidays.The residents are however challenging that at least 15 members of the said CSA society or original title holders are still alive,Cheap NFL Jerseys, but were never informed of the land being for sale or that it was even sold.“Right now even in this room and within the community no less than 15 original title holders are still alive,Cheap China Jerseys, and therefore, members of that society, but yet not one of those persons were communicated with by the Chief Coops Officer,NBA Jerseys China,” Ali charged.The residents are feeling betrayed and shortchanged, especially those who said that they had diligently contributed to the community’s current stage of development. One male resident said that for 28 years he had maintained the large plot of land. He said it cost lots of money to maintain it and if there was any sale he believed he should have had preference “or any other Lamaha Gardens resident for that matter”.The community members argued that now there is nowhere for the neighbourhood’s children to play and no location for recreation. They are exploring various avenues since they believe that the government cannot be relied on. President Ramotar had ordered Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul to launch an investigation into the sale of the land. They are hoping that by the end of the week some definitive action would be taken towards restoring the property.It was highlighted that 5500 sq ft of land in the area is sold at approximately $30M-$35M but the now controversial property, estimated at six times that size, was reportedly sold at $25M to the businessman. |
