After investing millions in his home in ‘Young Professionals’ Housing Scheme at Eccles, on the East Bank of Demerara, Wahabudeen Imran says it is under threat due to the operations of a rice mill that was built behind it.
“You know how much money I spend hay fixing crack already? If I de know was this I woulda never invest my $14.3 million on this property. I want the President, Irfaan Ali, to tell me something about my $14.3 million dollar, I can’t live… my house falling apart, I want to know something about my money,” Imran told Stabroek News.
According to Imran, in 2013, when he bought the property, there was a reserve dam and trench at the back of his home for drainage. However, when he came into the country in 2015 he found that the rice mill was there and the dam and trench were no longer there, only a small drain.
The distressed man noted that every time he comes into the country, he plants a kitchen garden. However, when he came back May of last year, his crops died due to the heavy rainfall and water that usually comes into his yard from the neighbouring Technomills Guyana Inc rice mill.
“Meh can’t plant nothing. The gutter on the mill break up so all the water throwing direct in meh backyard. I buy boulanger, tomato and some pepper and put it down but the rain and then the water from the mill gutter come in and flooding up the place. It barely gat a lil drain at the back deh. The water ain’t going out, drain full up with water… me nah get no proper drainage,” he stated.
In addition to the flooding, Imran told Stabroek News that every time the mill starts up, his entire property vibrates. It has caused cracks along the walls of his house. “When my family was in the country and staying here, a day my daughter was in the kitchen and the rice mill start up, the thing sound like gunshot and the grandchildren start cry. When my son watch at the glass cupboard, the whole thing buss up,” he further said.
The man noted that he wrote to the relevant authorities back in 2015 and was told by the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) that the matter went to court. He was then later informed that the company had lost the matter but asked for a lease, which was then granted for storing grains up until 2021.
“I wrote letters to Lands and Surveys. They come and investigate the matter and say it is reserve and it fall under Housing. I send Housing the letter and they say the matter going to court. I keep checking with them whenever I come in the country. One time I check and they say the company lose the case but asking to lease the land,” he added, while pleading for the relevant authorities to look into his matter given the current torment he is experiencing at his property.
When this newspaper tried to contact Technomills Guyana Inc, calls to its phone number went unanswered.
