Describing the demolition of the PNC Reform (PNCR) Regional Office in Lethem as an “act of state terrorism”, party officials said the illegal removal and destruction of their property will be challenged in the Courts. The party has also dispatched a note to the Diplomatic Community.

In justifying the demolition exercise, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh has claimed that the building which has been occupied by the PNC for almost 50 years, is the property of the State, and the government now has uses for the building.

But at a press conference today, Member of the PNCR, and Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade maintained that the PNCR has “legal title” to the building.

“The issue of possession by law has nothing to do with ownership,” he told reporters, explaining that even in wake of claims of possession by the State, proper legal proceedings ought to have been instituted.

The Government, he said, will be challenged on the issue.

“The party will be challenging the PPP Government. Yes, the building belongs to us, the property belongs to us, and certainly as a political party we must show example. We don’t want our citizens to be bullied, and certainly we will not be bullied by the PPP’s unlawfulness. The property is ours and we will enforce our rights in the Courts,” Mr Wade said, while maintaining that the PNCR has ‘legal title’ to the property.

PNCR Executive and Attorney-at-Law, Amanza Walton-Desir MP, while confirming that the party had received a notice or two from the Government, said due process was not followed.

“This property has been on the asset register of the PNCR from the inception, in excess of 40 years. I will say as well that it is a fundamental tenet of law that one cannot be deprived of property without due process of the law. What I can say that we are not in receipt of a Court order or any Court order that would indicate that there is some dispute about the ownership and possession of this property,” MP Walton-Desir said in response to a question posed by News Source.

Clearly incense by the issue, the Opposition MP said Government has displayed total disregard for the Laws of Guyana, and is attempting to bully and instil fear in Guyanese.

In a statement to the Diplomatic Community, MP Walton-Desir said not only was the regional office of the PNCR, looted and demolished but its members were assaulted by Venezuelan nationals, who were hired to carry out the exercise under the supervision of ranks from the Guyana Police Force.

The assaulted members have since filed a report with the police.

“All of the Party’s records, documentation and reports containing membership information have disappeared; office equipment, tools and other material have been destroyed. Eleven (11) barrels containing food and clothing items donated by overseas Guyanese for distribution to indigent communities have vanished without a trace. Importantly, the Objections Report due to be submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission by 18:00 hrs today March 2nd, 2023 has vanished, placing our ability to meet the stated deadline in clear jeopardy,” MP Walton-Desir reported.

She said the right against the deprivation of property without due process of law is a fundamental tenet of the law and of civilized society.

Up to press time, there was no official word from the Government on the demolition exercise, which has now displaced the PNCR Region 9 Division.

“We are still awaiting word from the government as to what would occasion them going in the dark of night to demolish our building, steal our records, destroy our equipment and place our ability to meet critical GECOM deadlines in jeopardy,”

Meanwhile, the Party’s General Secretary, Dawn Hastings-Williams, in condemning the act, said it was a clear act of state terrorism.

 “These actions are dangerously provocative and it is clear that the PPP’s aim is for total dominance and control. Moreover, this criminal action is inconsistent with the Irfaan Ali’s One Guyana, the Party has been in possession of this property for approximately 50 years, and its rights to ownership and possession has never been disputed”.

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