Dear Editor,
I have taken time off to prepare this letter with the hope of having the plight of myself and many others getting maximum exposure. My aim is not just to share my experience with the general public of Guyana, but most importantly, I am hoping that members of the diplomatic community, overseas-based Guyanese and potential visitors and investors would get an idea of how the various institutions within the Guyanese society are failing its people.
I am one of four beneficiaries to an estate at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and to which the Public Trustee was appointed Administrator by the late Justice Ian Chang. It is an undivided estate, and one of the sibling beneficiaries has occupied and claimed exclusive rights to the commercial section of the estate ; the portion of the estate next to the Good Hope Public Road. Since Justice Ian Chang made his order in 2015, we have tried to live on the estate but we could not. Our houses were mysteriously torched, our vehicles vandalized, one of the siblings has brought men to attack us, our faces were sprayed with bear spray, we were gun-butted and derelict vehicles were placed in our driveway. We have actual footage of our houses being demolished by one of the sibling beneficiaries.
After finding it extremely difficult to reside on the estate due to constant violence and abuse at the hands of one of the beneficiaries, and the police at Vigilance Police Station’s reluctance to take action against the beneficiary who has occupied the estate, myself and another beneficiary decided to take the Administrator Public Trustee to court, seeking an order for the Public Trustee to sell the estate at the best price, and have the proceeds divided equally amongst the 4 beneficiaries after deducting expenses. The matter was heard by the Hon. Justice Gino Persaud, and it is said to be completed for about 3 years now. Unfortunately, Justice Gino Persaud has not given his rulings to date. We have visited his office and made inquiries, and have also complained to the Chancellor.
Sincerely,
Fazal Gafoor