The Engineer’s Department of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has taken action by placing a cease order on the fence surrounding the Carifesta Avenue land designated for the construction of a five-star hotel by Qatari investors, as allocated by the Government of Guyana (GoG).
This notice was affixed to the property’s fence on Monday afternoon following instructions from Mayor Alfred Mentore to City Engineer Colvern Venture. The move comes amid a dispute between the Central Government and City Hall regarding the ownership of the land.
The controversy arose after it was announced that lands previously under the control of the Guyana National Service (GNS) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), intended for recreational purposes, were sold to Middle Eastern investors for $2 billion for the construction of a hotel. Both City Hall and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) claimed ownership of the land, prompting threats of litigation from the Georgetown Municipality to resolve the matter definitively.
During the statutory meeting of the Mayor and Councillors on Monday, the ownership of the land was once again debated. Mayor Mentore emphasized the importance of issuing a cease order to halt any construction activities at the location due to the ongoing ownership dispute. Despite previous instructions to issue the cease order, Venture reported that no one was present at the site during his visit.
Venture clarified that the transport document circulated by the M&CC claiming ownership did not pertain to the specific parcel of land designated for the hotel project. Mayor Mentore, however, emphasized that the duty of the City Engineer is to serve the cease order, leaving the verification of documentation to independent professionals.
In response, Venture explained that issuing a notice in the absence of the property owner or occupier may not hold up in court. Mentore reiterated that if the owner’s identity is unknown, a notice cannot be issued. He further indicated that the matter may likely proceed to litigation, noting his efforts to seek legal advice.
The ongoing dispute underscores the complexities surrounding land ownership and development projects within Georgetown. As the situation unfolds, the Mayor and City Council remain committed to resolving the matter through legal channels.
