BM Soat withdraws appeal over encumbrance at East Coast -Works Ministry

Bhashir Mohamed, owner of BM Soat, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has withdrawn all actions on his part in the court with respect to his occupation of public land which led to the Ministry of Works breaking down an encumbrance at Success.
A press release from the Ministry of Works today said that through his lawyer, Khemraj Ramjattan, a “notice of withdrawal and discontinuation” was filed in the Court of Appeal on Monday, January 6, 2014.
The release said that Mohamed’s withdrawal confirmed the Ministry’s argument that it was correct in its move to remove the illegal structures at Success, which included a fence. The removal was necessary for road expansion works on the East Coast.
The Ministry’s position has always been that the erected fence, which was at the centre of the legal wrangle, had to be removed in accordance with the 1973 property boundary line, today’s release said.
“BM Soat’s (intransigence) in this matter severely delayed the much needed road widening works for up to two years and placed an enormous burden on taxpayers.
“It is hoped that the turnaround in Mohamed’s attitude will be an object lesson for all those who are illegally occupying Government lands. Guyana’s development cannot be held hostage for the selfish interest of a select few.
“Furthermore, the Ministry will continue the removal of encumbrances on Government lands along the main public roads. Notices of this activity have again been placed in all national newspapers”, the release said.