THE PPP/C Administration had planned to construct an $85M facility on a plot of land belonging to Ambassador Clarissa Riehl and another belonging to the Beharry Group of Companies, both of which are situated next to each other on Carmichael Street, Georgetown, Attorney General Basil Williams has said.Speaking at a press briefing at his Carmichael Street office on Friday, Williams chided another publication for reporting what he called several “untruths” pertaining to the issue.
According to Williams, the land in question was being earmarked for an $85M structure, and the sum was questioned when the budget for the Ministry was being prepared because
Finance Ministry officials had noted at the time that the sum was inadequate for a structure to be placed there.
Williams noted that the matter in question did not arrive at a compulsory acquisition, which he stated is a last resort. Williams said he knows everything about the land, noting that he will not speak to any owner of lands unless he is operating in his ministerial portfolio and in accordance with the Acquisition for Public Purposes Act.
“What is a minister going to tell somebody they wish to engage in negotiations to purchase their lands?” he asked, as he added: “As it is right now, under the Act, an order was issued to start certain procedures”.
He reiterated that he inherited the matter, and it was brought to his attention by staff when the budget was being prepared for the fiscal year.
Williams expressed displeasure at the article published on the issue in other sections of the media. “…that newspapers could be invading the sanctity of Cabinet and spreading palpable untruths about supposed undertaking of Cabinet to prepare a report,” he said. “I was not at Cabinet when your newspaper reported that I was, and that I was mandated,” he said to members of the press.
The Private Sector Commission has meanwhile called on the Government to be cautious in land acquisition issues. The body also called on Government to clarify its position on the issue. According to the PSC, it made note of the Government’s intention to exercise its right under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act to acquire private lands for public use.
“Such moves by any Government are always viewed with a high level of skepticism and reservation by investors globally,” the body said.
It said that while such acts may be legal, they dampen investors’ confidence.
“The Private Sector Commission wishes to highlight to the President and the Cabinet that the current transaction being pursued has caused many owners of private property to be in a state of trepidation. The Government needs to clarify their policy and position on this matter,” the Commission has said.
