The office of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in Lethem, Region Nine was dismantled during the wee hours of yesterday morning, allegedly by workers of a contractor who was awarded a contract to carry out remedial work by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which has claimed ownership of the building occupied by the PNCR for decades.
The PNCR strongly maintained yesterday that the premises belonged to the party and that no document was provided to state otherwise.
General Secretary Dawn Hastings-Williams said at a press conference yesterday that the party “has been in possession of the property” for approximately 50 years now, “and its rights to ownership and possession have never been disputed.”
Attorney at Law Darren Wade, one of the party’s legal counsel who was also at the press conference, stressed that based on his interpretation of the law, the party has “legal title” for the premises.
Asked specifically whether that was based on years of occupancy or actual documentation of ownership by title, Wade repeated that based on his “understanding and appreciation of the law the party has legal title to the premise in question.”
However, Regional Executive Officer of Region Nine Karl Singh yesterday told Stabroek News that the property was in the inventory of the RDC. He said the process to have the property vacated started over one year ago.
According to him, in addition to dispatching notices to the leadership as well as the local arm of the PNCR in Lethem, he also personally visited the location to meet them and discuss the issue.
Singh said a contract was awarded for remedial work to be carried out on the building’s roof and windows to make way for a health centre. He said that the agenda of the region and government was to ensure that “we have healthy people” and as such proper facilities must be developed.
According to the PNCR, the operation was carried out by hired Venezuelan nationals under the supervision of ranks attached to the Guyana Police Force.
Hastings-Williams said that items belonging to the party were seized during the “unlawful operation.”. They included Claims and Objections reports that should have been submitted to the Guyana Elections Commis-sion yesterday by 6 pm along with 11 barrels of clothing for distribution and electronic equipment.
Asked about this, Singh told this publication that to his knowledge the items which were in the building were “secured” by the contractor and the party was informed that they could be uplifted.
Hastings-Williams yesterday added, “This action is consistent with the pattern of disrespect for the rule of law and democracy that has been displayed by the Irfaan Ali-led regime.”
She said the action was “dangerously provocative” and it was clear the government’s aim was for “total dominance and control.”
According to her, the party has instructed local members to file a police report “and calls upon the commissioner of police to ensure that there is a fair and impartial investigation into this matter.”
Furthermore, she said that the party was in the process of informing the diplomatic community, and legal action was also being considered.
