NEW Thriving, Japarts, BM Soat, and Demerara Bank are among business companies attracting the attention of City Hall. City Hall is making good on its promise to do all in its power to reclaim its properties confiscated by business persons and has written to at least three businesses asking them to remove from city properties.

Japarts and BM Soat have been asked to return the city’s parapets, and in some cases alleyways, while legal proceedings have been brought against a “stubborn” New Thriving that has ignored building boundaries and claimed alleyways at their Camp and Brickdam location.

Town Clerk Royston King said Thursday that the mentioned companies have been written to because they occupy city property and sometimes inconvenience other citizens. It was noted that some time ago, Japarts was granted permission by the Mayor and City Council to pave and utilise the parapet in front and adjacent to their 38 Croal Street location.

The location was supposed to be for parking purposes, but according to the letter dated August 14, the company engaged in mechanical repairs and related activities which then saw the dumping of waste oil into the drainage system, “contributing to the destruction of the ecology of the environment.”

The company was advised that “City Hall is reclaiming all of its parapets and restoring them to green verges.” It was stated that as at January 1, 2016, the parapets will no longer be available and all items should be removed.

BM Soat and Demerara Bank were given similar notices. They were told that while they may have had permission in the past to operate at their various locations, it will not continue into the New Year, given the motto of a “clean, green Georgetown”

New Thriving Restaurant, on the other hand, has been summoned to Court on several occasions for several building code violations, but has blatantly ignored the court’s summonses and the Council’s requests. In this light, the Council is set to reconsider this matter with a view to addressing it in the interest of the City.

The Council said it is not adamant about using legal avenues to cause citizens and \ business owners to adhere to rules and regulations, but it will use all measures available for the desired results. Citizens and other companies are urged to adhere to the law or meet with the Council to address all matters in an orderly and timely manner.

Town Clerk Royston King said the City Council is bent on making the city an eco-friendly place. Council is bent on making Georgetown the cleanest and greenest city in the Caribbean. It must be noted again that city parapets and other features are collectively owned by all citizens. “No one has the right to claim any city space,” he pointed out.