There is no transport for state lands

Dear Editor, I read with great interest and, may I add, surprise the letter penned by my very good friend, Mr Murseline Bacchus in which he stated that the lease for the Red House property is not required to be registered as stated by me since it is state lands and falls under the exception of section 13 of the Deeds Registry Act (‘ Leases of 21 or more years…’ SN, January 10).

I have great respect for Mr Bacchus, who is a brilliant and successful lawyer and was in the first batch of West Indian trained lawyers who qualified in 1975. He is a sharp advocate and was the lead counsel for former President Bharrat Jagdeo in the private criminal charge brought against him at Whim Magistrate’s Court as well as proceedings to remove the order to ban the former President from leaving the country. Mr Bacchus was successful in both matters and is no doubt one of the leading lawyers in Guyana. I even suggested in one of my letters to the press that he should be awarded silk.

Unfortunately I do not agree with him that it is not a requirement to register the 99 year lease, since the Red House is state property. In my humble opinion since it is transported property it does not fall under the exception; there is no transport for state lands.

This matter is before the court and I am not sure whether I should comment on it. The acting Chief Justice will deal with the issue next month and it might well end up before the Court of Appeal and maybe the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Yours faithfully, Oscar Ramjeet