DPP to advise on ending PNCR’s illegal occupation of state-owned building

The matter of the PNCR’s occupation of a stateowned building in Lethem, Region 9, has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the Guyana Police Force.

In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that it has prepared a file to send to the DPP. According to the Police, the legal advice from the DPP would be awaited on before appropriate action is taken.

The Police explained in the statement that current

REO, Karl Singh, made a Police complaint about Parker and associates obstructing the region’s work on the building. Parker was accused of attempting to chase away a contractor who was working on the building under a contract from the regional administration.

“On March 1 2023, at about 23:50 hrs, Police ranks in Regional Division #9, acting on information, went to the Government Building where they met (REO Singh) and six men. The REO indicated to the ranks that he had given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof, since the building belongs to the Region and it was tendered for infrastructure work to be done. The contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 2. At about 02:30 hours that morning, a motor pickup bearing licence plate # GRR 1100, driven by Carl Parker, and minibus bearing licence plate #BYY 755, driven by George Nicholson, arrived at the area where they started to ‘video’ the building. The contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.” The Police explained in the statement. It was further alleged that members of the PNC subsequently came and broke off the locks for the property. The REO also said the Opposition party was served with notices to vacate the building on several occasions.

Meanwhile, Parker and another man, were on March 8, 2023, were hauled before the court for their actions and released on $30,000 bail each for allegedly damaging a government building in Lethem. Parker, 59, of Lethem Agriculture Zone, Hiowa Creek in Central Rupununi and Godfrey Williams, called ‘Cut Mouth’, a 55-year-old miner of Tabatinga Village, Lethem, appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court. Both men denied that on March 4, 2023, at Lethem, they unlawfully damaged a building, which belongs to the Government of Guyana.

The matter was adjourned to March 22, 2023. Additionally, Parker was charged separately for his alleged threatening behaviour towards 51-year-old Dale Kennedy, who was a contractor working on the building on the day in question. He was released on self-bail. The PPP/C government had made clear that the PNCR has to end its illegal occupation of the Stateowned building, to allow for the operations of a Health Center that would serve the community.