General Manager of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) Aubrey Charles yesterday testified that as far as he knows, the Abary Cattle Ranchers Association had never raised any issue with regards to compensation for land lost.
Commissioner Lennox Caleb, who made the enquiry, did not press Charles on the matter when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into African ancestral lands and other land matters. However, Charles also told the Commission that the land to the east of the conservancy, which the ranch is also claiming, has not been occupied for about 30 years and no fees have been paid on it.
Charles’ appearance before the tribunal came nearly a week after Chairman of the ranch, Hemraj Kissoon, testified before the CoI.