…APNU+AFC calls on those who obtained land legally not to be intimidated by PPP/C threats
The APNU+AFC Coalition has called on persons who purchased or leased lands and other properties post no-confidence motion not to return them to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, as demanded, since they were obtained legally.
At a press conference on Friday, People’s National Congress (PNC) Executive Aubrey Norton read a statement on behalf of the coalition which deemed the PPP/C “hypocritical” for making the demand having allegedly sold lands to their allies for “next to nothing” during their previous tenure.
Last Friday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that companies or persons who were vested State lands by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) after the no-confidence motion against APNU+AFC will escape penalties if they relinquish these lands back to the State.
The Vice President told the media that several have already opted to do so but some others remain obstinate. He said that the intention of the PPP/C Government is not to go after the innocent, however, these individuals who participated in the transactions should have known better.
However, Norton stated on Friday: “The APNU+AFC Coalition calls on the PPP regime to desist from dispossessing Guyanese of their legally acquired property and to recognise that they are setting a bad example. The PPP must recognise that all Guyanese have a right to share in our national patrimony and to note that the APNU+AFC Coalition will support the legal actions of those owners so that the courts can reaffirm their legal right to their property. The APNU+AFC Coalition calls on all those who obtained these properties legally to not be intimidated by the PPP corrupt regime that believes only them and their families and friend must benefit.”
Furthermore, Norton put forward that the Vice President and others in the PPP/C should instead be thankful that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) did not manage to bring them to justice.
He leveled allegations such as former Prime Minister, Sam Hinds being able to purchase prime land with property for only GYD$84,000 and the selling of GuySuCo’s Leonora Estate property below its value to now President Irfaan Ali.
“While in government they sold their leadership and cronies properties for next to nothing and now they are seeking to dispossess people who obtained their property legally. It is apposite to note that the PPP allowed all the senior staff properties and staff clubs that fell under GuySuCo to deteriorate. They then proceeded to sell them to themselves and cronies at rock bottom prices. This was done without valuation,” Norton said.
“It must therefore be clearly established that the PPP are hypocrites who are on an ethnic and political discriminatory witch-hunt.”
On the other hand, he maintained that properties sold while the APNU+AFC Coalition was in office were sold legally after proper evaluation. He said that these transactions were also approved by the Board of NICIL.
At the beginning of November, Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall announced that he will commence civil proceedings against former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan and fired former head of the Special Purposes Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London for allegedly being involved in “flagrant illegalities” regarding land transactions.
In response, Jordan said that the actions of the AG seem to be designed to tarnish his character. He assured the public that he performed his duties in compliance with the oath of office and to the best of his abilities. The PPP/C has counterclaimed that the lands requiring such were vested without Cabinet approval.
