The Linden Commission of Inquiry (COI) has deemed the compensation sought by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for the destruction by fire of the Linmine Secretariat on July 18, 2012 as absurd and leading to a dead end.
“… It does not make sense, in my mind, to pursue a claim like this by the government against the government,’’ Senior Counsel K.D. Knight, one of the commissioners, stated yesterday in response to the over $200M being sought by NICIL.
The commission yesterday resumed its work for the first time since its adjournment in November last year. It has already taken detailed testimony from a variety of persons mainly in relation to the fatal shooting of three Linden protesters on July 18. This shooting triggered an apparent arson spate which saw the Linmine building and others being burnt to the ground.
Some of those who were injured and suffered losses in the July 18 and 19 Linden protest also gave evidence yesterday in an effort to receive compensation
Director of NICIL, Winston Brassington, took to the witness stand to give his evidence as it pertains to the damage suffered by his company. Brassington, who was represented by attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who represented the Guyana Police Force along with Peter Hugh, is seeking compensation for the losses NICIL suffered after the Linmine Secretariat was burnt down during the protest.
He stated that an estimate of the losses was done by Rodrigues Architects Limited and the damage was estimated at $204,070,000.
Before Brassington could have gotten further into his evidence
