— in dispute with GuySuCo over LBI Sports Bar

THE Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) has called on government to intervene and declare the true owner a sports bar at GuySuCo’s head office, LBI, East Coast Demerara.

The SPU has contended that under the transfer order (Vesting Order) which was signed by both parties, GuySuCo transferred the right to all immovable and movable land and property at the Rose Hall, Enmore, Wales and the LBI Sugar Estates.
Properties and Fixed Assets Officer Calvin Boxhill, with the help of SPU’s legal advisers said section five of the vesting order is conclusive evidence of NICIL’s full and absolute ownership of the property.

He also said section five of the Public Corporation’s Act states that the vesting order should be given the status of a transport.
“Despite the existing legal documents, GuySuCo is refusing to acknowledge that we own the LBI Estate… that is why there is still a dispute over the ownership of the club house,” said Boxhill, adding that SPU is looking for an amicable conclusion to the matter but GuySuCo has not shown a similar interest.

In order to end the ongoing dispute, ministerial or government intervention is needed, said Boxhill.
SPU had renovated the facility which was “rundown” but, the unit has not been able to break even on their investment although months have gone by since the official launch of the facility.

Boxhill said the unit would have possibly retained their investment but staff of GuySuCo had gone to the extent of evicting persons from the facility and even ordering the guards to deny entry to the sports club.

“On the day of the launch, GuySuCo staff stood at the gate and turned away persons we invited… persons included ministries and managers from DDL, ANSA McAL and Banks… some of the people who were invited had given us stuff on credit and so forth so it was bad for business,” said the SPU officer.

The SPU had opened the once private facility to members of civil society, public servants and even persons from the corporate society.
“One time we even came over and found staff of the GuySuCo breaking a lock on the door,” he lamented.

Despite the odds, Boxhill said SPU remains optimistic that the matter could be resolved amicably.

Recently, Public Relations Officer of GuySuCo, Audreyanna Thomas explained that the works and the plans for the facility when it was under renovation were all going on during a window period. At the time the company was not sure who was really responsible for the corporation, be it the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture or the Special Purpose Unit.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder in a previous report had said that he understands that there has been a tussle between NICIL’s SPU and GuySuCo over a number of matters but the two sides have to first try to trash out any differences before his or any subsequent Cabinet intervention.