A section of the steel fence constructed on the alleyway next to the IMEX International building by its owner John Ganesh was on Friday demolished by the City Council despite his claims that the construction was lawful.
Around 11:00AM on Friday, workers from the City Council began tearing down a section of the fence bordering the four-storey building located on Lot 34, High and Leopold streets.
Acting City Council Public Relations Officer (PRO) Deborah Lewis said that the construction of the concrete and steel fence was not in accordance with standards set out by the City Council and the structure was blocking the flow of water.
Lewis on Thursday signalled the Council’s intention to demolish a portion of the fence after she said that it was erected illegally on an alleyway which is critical to drainage for the area.
Lewis said that many similar constructions were done around the city and these are immensely hindering drainage especially during the rainy season.
Sources have told Stabroek News that similar action will be taken in other parts of the city as many businesses and some residences have resorted to unlawfully occupying reserves and alleyways.
The sources revealed that the City Council is sometimes locked out of the reserves and is often unable to access canals and kokers.
Stabroek News has learnt that about five or six popular businesses in the city have been sent letters from the Town Clerk Royston King, requesting that they surrender keys for the locked areas.
A letter addressed to one of the businesses which was seen by Stabroek News, stated that over the years the council had been receiving reports of difficulties encountered in gaining easy, unhindered access to the facility, which includes the outfall channel, kokers and surrounding parapets which have been paved.
The letter said that since the council is denied ingress and egress to the public property it constitutes a breach as stipulated by the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01.
If the keys are not surrendered, the Council will be forced to take action, the sources said. In addition, the sources indicated that the Mayor is preparing a full document to table at a meeting to allow the councillors to determine the way forward.
Some of the businesses which will be addressed are Muneshwers Ltd., The Discount Store and Sharon’s Boutique amongst others, the source said.
Over the years Georgetown has been plagued with severe floods during the rainy season which have resulted in significant losses to businesses and residents.
Chapter 72 of the Municipal and District Councils Act also states that the Council shall have the power to close up any alleyways in the city, wherever in its opinion it is expedient to so do and the Council may grant a lease or licence to the owner of any lot contiguous with the closed up alleyway to occupy at the will of the Council.
Ganesh had expressed surprise at the action of the council after he received a 24-hour notice of the intended demolition on his property. The businessman had produced documents to Stabroek News which gave him permission to build under certain condition. Although Ganesh had said that he was not in breach of any of the conditions the council is of the opinion that the construction done by Ganesh was not in accordance with the conditions.
The Municipal and District Councils Act also states that the Council retains all rights and privileges over the reserve and is not held liable for the paying of compensation in the event that the reserve is required for its use. It was also stated that the permission may be rescinded at short notice from the City Engineer.
