A dispute over land at Sara Johanna, East Bank Demerara has left some farmers irate and fearful for their crops but the developer of the land, said they were apprised of his plans for it and ample time was given for them to reap their crops.
The farmers, who said that they have been farming there for over 15 years, contended that they had a right to the land and were contemplating taking legal action.
Developer, Fazil Ali, who said he owns the land, said yesterday that he was willing to compensate them for their crops and assist them in securing land for farming. However, some farmers said he has not informed them of this.
Bush is currently being cleared from the land in question but crops are left standing until a court marshal goes to record the scene.
Some crops that were on the government reserve have been destroyed and a few plants in the fields have been struck down. Almost in tears yesterday, some residents said the farms were their livelihoods and vowed to fight to retain them.
Ali said that all was in train for his multi-million dollar project and he was willing to assist them, but some farmers would not hear of it.
A matter was previously filed in the court with regard to a section of the land and is currently being heard.
Ali said that his project has already been granted official approval and some of the residents have accepted that they would have to move.
Meanwhile, some farmers told this newspaper that they would take the matter to court as they did not believe that Ali owned the land.
However, Ali said that he has a transport and other documents pertaining to the land and would be willing to provide this.
While the farmers said that Ali was not complying with the law and want to force them out, he made the same charge against them and said that they were squatting on private property.
