A dispute has erupted over the recent sale of a Lamaha Gardens property–used for decades by the community as a recreational area and a playground–which has been dubbed “illegal” and there are calls for an immediate investigation of the transaction.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) yesterday claimed ownership of the property, located at Lot 142 Durbana Square, and said it is consulting with its attorneys on a course of action.
The announcement by the union came days after members of the interim committee made up of Lamaha Gardens residents also announced that it would seek legal advice to have the 5,500 sq ft plot of land restored to the community. It also called the sale to businessman Terrence Taljit, reported to the value of $25M, illegal.
When Stabroek News visited the property, the disputed land was fenced with two “private property” signs at the front. When efforts were made to contact Taljit, this newspaper was told that he was out of the country.
The union, which condemned the sale and accused “elements” of government of playing a part in it, said that while the property had been used for many years by residents, it is owned by the Guyana Public Service Housing Cooperative, which was the successor to the Civil Service Association Housing Cooperative Society.
In a statement, the union said it became aware of the move to sell the land in November last year, when a notice, inviting bids by November 23, 2012, was placed in the Guyana Chronicle by Liquidator Cecil Ramnarine.
The union released a cease and desist letter that its attorney Joseph Harmon had had sent to Ramnarine, dated November 20, 2012, in order to prevent him from going moving ahead. It also released a copy of demand for payment of rates and taxes for 2012 that was sent to the union by the mayor and City Council, which listed the owners as the “P.S.A Housing Cooperative” Society.
In his letter to Ramnarine, Harmon identified himself as the lawyer for the Civil Service Association Cooperative Housing Society. He noted that his clients instructed him that Ramnarine’s appointment as liquidator and his invitation for bids were done without their knowledge and consent. He inquired as to the authority for Ramnarine’s appointment as liquidator, while also asking that he cease and desist from the sale and withdraw the notice placed in the Chronicle.
At the same time, GPSU said both its members and some residents were placed on alert for any further action by Ramnarine.
But it said despite the lawyer’s letter and the union’s clear intention to assert its right to the land, Ramnarine “went ahead with undue haste to sell the property and pass transport to this property within the space of one month.”
The union said the transaction is improper, while noting that it was comforted by indications that President Donald Ramotar had mandated Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul to find out how the land was sold and ways to get it back.
The union urged that the transport be recalled and the investigation undertaken speedily. It also called for a nominee from the GPSU to be included on the investigating team and for its findings to be made public. It also said it contacted its members and certain residents to prepare them to resist any attempt to deny them use of the land.
The situation has angered many residents, who voiced their concerns at a meeting held on Tuesday. Ronald Alli, who is the President of the interim committee, said at Tuesday’s meeting at the Lions Club Headquarters that the land was sold on January 13 to Taljit. Ali further stated that the land was auctioned last December without members of the community being aware of the move by the Chief Co-ops Officer.
The meeting also heard that while the officer said that he was satisfied that there were less than seven members of the Civil Service Association Society, there were a total of 15 members who resided in Lamaha Gardens and who were still alive and had valid titles.
The land has been used by the community since in the early 1960s. It was said that the residential area started to develop in the early 1960s into a upscale district for senior public servants and government officials, who were members of the then Civil Service Association, which is now the GPSU.
Community records from an audited report in 1989 clearly stated that the Civil Service Association had donated the land to City Hall to be occupied by the community and was recognised to be the property of Lamaha Gardens. Residents also said they had made a number of payments for drainage and all the expenses that came with the property. Ali and members of the interim committee also displayed a diagram which showed proposed renovations which were planned for the ground in the upcoming months.
The land, which has the capacity to hold up to six residential homes, was sold for $25M although the meeting was told that one home in the Lamaha Gardens community is estimated at a cost of $30M.
Tempers flared at the meeting when one resident suggested that they all come together to reclaim the land. “One week ago our children were playing cricket on that same field and now we have to let them play on the road for them to get hit down by cars?” a resident asked.
There was a loud outburst of mixed views and this forced Ali to plead for order.
Another resident advised that forceful action may lead to a worse outcome and that that the situation should be handled in an organised manner. This suggestion was welcomed by the interim committee, which suggested a one-month time frame.
A resident told Stabroek News he was upset that the transaction occurred without the community being aware of it. “It’s like someone coming into your home at night stealing from you. We maintained the land, spending a large sum of money. For someone to come and buy it for a measly $25M is just disrespectful to us,” the resident said.
