— Lawrence says building must not be used for party purposes

AMIDST all year-end celebrations, the PPP/C, represented by a number of loyal party supporters, came out last night to hold a candlelight vigil outside the premises of the Red House in Kingston, Georgetown known as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.Former President Donald Ramotar told the media at the vigil: “This is a completely lawless action on the part of the Government! This vigil is to highlight the nature and the vindictive nature of this APNU+AFU regime!”

He promised that the PPP/C would assess the situation and then take whatever step is necessary. “All we are asking is that people respect the laws of this country!” he declared.

Ramotar claimed, too, that it is “utter hypocrisy” on the part of the Government to claim to be promoting social cohesion and to set up a Ministry of Social Cohesion, but still act in this manner.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall also had this to say: “The Chief Executive Officer of the land, in his conduct and in his statement issued last night, has disregarded all the protection which the law accords to a tenant, and similarly terminated a 99- year lease unilaterally, without giving any notice whatsoever, and ordered the tenant to vacate the premise within 24 hours.”

Contending that several steps must be taken before a tenant is ejected, he declared that the law must take its course. He also noted that ever since the APNU+AFC coalition Administration took office, Government has been receiving rental payments for this heritage building, and he contended that maintaining the building comes at no cost to the treasury.

“This is just an act of spite, an act of political vendetta and an act of political vindictiveness; and of course it is an assault on the rule of law and on the constitutional right to property,” Nandlall said.

“Leasehold interest is considered property in law, and the Constitution protects that. You can’t take away a person’s proprietary interest without paying him compensation, and that is protected by Article 142 of the Constitution,” Nandlall said, as he contended that “the President’s action is a violation of the Constitution.”

A few APNU+ AFC supporters were present at this vigil, but they formed a “counter-picket” against the initial vigil. Current Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence, when addressing members of the media, noted that they fully agree with the President’s decision.
“We are saying that, as the present Government, this must become a State building once more,” she said. “Tonight we are here to stand in solidarity with our President: that this building must be used for all Guyanese,” Lawrence said. She added: “We did make a statement earlier, when we took office, about this building and several other buildings that were used for party purposes…State buildings being used for political purposes!

“This move shouldn’t come as a surprise, because we did indicate that it was wrong then, and it is still wrong now… So us moving to ensure that this building is used for the Guyanese nation shouldn’t come as a surprise,” she contended.