Some residents of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice have been denying others access to an area called ‘First Dam’ for about one year, after farmers started planting cash crops on it.
According to the residents, the farmers had blocked the front part of the dam with zinc sheets about three years ago to prevent them from passing there with their livestock.
They have to use the dam at the nearby Golden Grove Village and said that is not fair.
One farmer took the bold step to plant on the dam and was followed by about six others, with some of them planting bananas and coconuts.
The residents said the farmers are claiming that they had received permission from the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural-Development-Authority (MMA/ADA).
When they checked with the MMA/ADA though, they learnt that no permission was given.
They said too that the MMA/ADA has not been able to clean the trench located next to the dam.
They have also complained to regional officials and a government minister who was conducting a ‘walkabout’ in the area but no action has been taken.
