Works on the Merriman Mall park are to be “held in abeyance,” City Councillors agreed yesterday, until such time as consultations with the Pan African Movement (PAM) result in a decision on the way forward.
The agreement came after a motion to halt all work in the area was moved by Councillor Llewellyn John. In acknowledgement of a licence granted to the Pan-African Movement to occupy the site and actions taken by the municipality which saw a structure belonging to PAM torn down, the motion called for a halt to any action to dislodge the PAM from the area which extends from Albert to Oronoque streets on the Merriman Mall.
On Saturday September 25, Town Clerk Royston King supervised the demolition of two concrete walls constructed by Pan African Movement on the land which had been made available to the organization for its use. This land has since been converted into an open air park for use by the elderly and children.
John’s motion yesterday was seconded by Councillor Eon Andrews, but amended by a motion from Councillor Oscar Clarke after it was noted that there was no evidence presented that the movement had actually been granted licence.
In tabling his amendment, Clarke said, “In my view, the action that was taken was blind. We have to admit as a council that we made an error. If we don’t do that then we can’t correct the error.”
However, he stated, “When this council takes a decision to make the land available we would’ve done so on some basis. Was there a decision of council? When was it taken? There is nothing in this motion which indicates when this decision was taken or how it was taken but the motion is asking us to honour this decision.”
Acknowledging the reputable nature of the organization, Clark said this would lead the council to believe that the decision was actually taken in which case, an engagement with the organization to discuss with them a way forward was necessary.
“Whether that way forward would mean us agreeing to the resuscitation of the project at its present location or whether it is going to be feasible for the project to be moved to another location will have to come out of a discussion with the organization which should’ve been had in the first place. I understand that money was spent to put up barriers which were dismantled. Obviously they are going to seek compensation. Let us get into discussion with the organization at the earliest possible time about all the concerns that we have and all the concerns that they have,” he said.
Dr Joycelynne Loncke executive member of the Guyana Branch of the PAM told Stabroek News last night that the “plot of land was allocated on the same terms” as that allocated for the Indian Monument Gardens between Thomas and Camp streets. This allocation according to Loncke was an acknowledgement of the contribution of enslaved Africans to the building of the city of Georgetown.
She noted that they had made use of the space every Republic Day and had planted 19 trees with the intention of creating a cultural space.
“We intended to construct a pavilion where members of the public would be able to learn different skills such as leather craft and steel pan. We had planted 19 trees which the town clerk mercilessly dug up,” Loncke said, adding that they were disappointed to have been evicted as if they were squatters.
“Didn’t he have records? Couldn’t he do research or contact members of the council who were there in the 90s when we were given this allocation?” she asked.
