Dear Editor,
The report in the Kaieteur News of January 22, about Minister Pauline Sukhai being at the centre of a bitter land-grabbing row in Santa Rosa, Region 1, is a disrespect to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs.
We the older sons and daughters of the deceased Isidore and Thomasa Torres of San Jose, Moruka, know for sure that there is no dispute between Aloysius and Leonard Torres, in relation to a piece of land at San Jose, Moruka, which Leonard Torres is claiming, so Minister Sukhai‘s son could build a guest house.
In the interest of development I see no reason to object to or block development on the land which is right now underdeveloped. Every one of Mr Aloysius Torres’ brothers and sisters who are alive, know that Leonard Torres is the legal owner with rights and title for the land and house built for him by his father Isidore and sons, including himself.
Leonard Torres is also in receipt of a valid document signed by the then Toshao Mr John Atkinson and witnessed by Boniface Torres and Penelope Atkinson, councillors at the time. Mr Isidore Torres as I remember, gave to Leonard that portion of land where his house is now standing.
Mr Leonard Torres had given permission through the Santa Rosa Village Council to Mr Percival Domingo and Melva Lucas to occupy the house for a period of time to allow their children to attend Santa Rosa Secondary school. Leonard was never notified that they were leaving the house unattended and unprotected. During this time Ms Melenia Torres took the opportunity to move into the house after living at Kumaka for some time with her children‘s father.
NB The Village Council was advised a few days before the arrival of Leonard Torres by his brother Boniface Torres that they should investigate whether anyone was living in the house, and to ask any illegal person or persons to vacate the premises before his arrival, but to no avail. Melenia at present is reluctant to move, claiming that the village council gave her permission to get a plot of land at San Jose to build her home in the same place where she has been living for the past 24 years; this can be refuted by all who knows the history of the Torres family.
It is true that the Santa Rosa Village Council held a meeting on January 11 last, but it is inaccurate to say that Ms Yvonne Pearson was supporting the claim of Mr Leonard Torres on behalf of the Minister; as Chairman of the National Toshaos Council she was asked to intervene in the matter giving advice and asking questions pertaining to the dispute, that had come from councillors and all concerned people.
Ms Sharon Atkinson should stay away from the issue.
Yours faithfully,
Boniface Torres
