City Hall is being accused of violating a court order by securing a reserve that was leased to Precision Woodworking Ltd, which is now in receivership.
Town Clerk Royston King last Wednesday received a lawyer’s letter on behalf of attorney Kashir Khan, who is the Receiver-Manager of the company, advising that he remove padlocks and a “No Trespassing” sign placed erected on the Industrial Site, Ruimveldt premises last week by Mayor and City Council (M&CC) officers.
King is due to appear in the High Court to respond.
In the lawyer’s letter sent to King last Wednesday, Senior Counsel Robin Stoby pointed out that on June 17 last year that an interim injunction was granted, restraining the Town Clerk, its servants, agents and or any subsequent licensee or permitee from in any way “interfering with the reserve that is subject of a 25 years licence in favour of Precision Woodworking Ltd.”
It was also noted that prior to the visit of the M&CC officers, Commu-nities Minister Ronald Bulkan, under whose ministry the affairs of the City Council fall, had visited the site, where there was an exchange.
The attorney demanded that King take corrective action within 24 hours of the letter, failing which Khan would take steps for the security and protection of the company and its creditor, Republic Bank (Guyana), and to ensure the obedience of the court order. “Needless to say this matter will be drawn to the attention of the court at the next hearing… with a view of obtaining a further Order to protect the due administration of justice and to sanction the actions of gross disobedience of the Court Order by you and your acolytes,” it added.
When contacted for comment, King told Stabroek News that the reserve is the property of the people of Georgetown, for which he is custodian in the post of Town Clerk.
Further, he noted that the licence under which the Precision Woodworking Ltd was granted use of the property reserves for the M&CC the right to rescind permission granted for use.
As part of its ‘Clean and Green’ Campaign, the M&CC has in the last few months been reclaiming alleyways, parapets and other reserves which had previously been leased to businesses within the city. The municipality has expressed the intent to use these spaces for the creation of green verges and other eco-friendly spaces, such as open recreational parks.
