RESIDENTS of New Providence Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara are complaining about what they said is “the illegal occupancy of the neighbourhood reserve” by Mr. Courtney Benn, who had built a structure on the reserve four years ago when he was constructing his house.

The residents want to know when will the structure be removed and when will they receive an acknowledgement of their letter which was sent to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

One resident said that the structure was created there four years ago when Mr. Benn was building his house right next to it. The resident said that about eight to ten workers lived in the structure and would go there from time to time.
The resident said that before the structure was put up, residents used the spot for various things. He said that no one since he made his report four years ago has done anything about it because “it’s like Mr. Benn own it.”

Meanwhile, another resident said that a kitchen was built into the makeshift quarters ,which causes a lot of smoke in the area. He said that every week Cevon’s Waste Management would come and empty the toilet at the back of the structure which belongs to them.
The resident said that when the toilet is being emptied by Cevon’s, “it does smell up the whole area and they does can’t leff their food open since when they eat they are feeling upset.” He said also that the area is a residential one and things like that should not happen.
When this publication visited the illegal structure, a water meter and a GPL meter were seen, both indicating the distribution of water and electricity to the house he built next to the illegal structure.
The Eccles/Ramsburg NDC is responsible for that area and when the Chairman Mr. Alex Faeed Khan was contacted, he said that indeed having such a structure on the land is illegal. He said that on numerous occasions the council would have spoken to Mr. Benn but he did not remove the structure.
The chairman added that Mr. Benn doesn’t want to move from the land and it’s like he doesn’t care. “He feels he big but he will soon be moved because we will take the matter to the ministry and also seek justice,” the chairman declared.

(By Asif Hakim)