On the heels of its investigation into the controversial leasing of East Bank Demerara lands, state holding company NICIL has turned its attention to lands belonging to the former Wales sugar estate some of which were sold and other plots leased.
In a notice in today’s Stabroek News, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) announced that in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region Three council it will be conducting an occupational survey of the lands owned by NICIL at Wales Estate from November 16 to 20.
“Once you are the holder of a lease, you are advised to make contact with NICIL’s team at Wales Estate between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm”, the notice said.
The government is focusing on land sales and leases orchestrated by NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) which had taken charge of the assets of shuttered sugar estates. The SPU was headed by Colvin Heath-London. His services were recently terminated.
In March 2018, 30 lots of what would be considered prime lands of the former Wales Sugar Estate were put up for sale.
According to an advertisement by the SPU, Lots numbered 1 to 12 and 14 to 31, parts of Plantation Wales along the eastern and western sides of the West Bank Public Road were placed for sale.
Approximately 700 acres were also leased in November, 2019 to the newly formed Amazonia Expert Services Limited (AESL) which had expressed the intention to enter the coconut industry.
