-says court action imminent

the GLSC which has documented outlines and plans of the disputed grounds where the US$300 million seafront and convention centre will be constructed by Qatari company Assets Group Inc.

Mentore in response said that Venture was in no position to determine the veracity of the documentation as this falls within the forte of a professional land surveyor. He pointed out that Venture was to issue the cease order for unauthorized work on the site as there was no application to the council.

“It is not for us to determine the veracity of … who owns these lands, but the reality is that unauthorized works are being done on these grounds and any unauthorized work that is being done in the city, you as the City Engineer is mandated to intervene”, Mentore posited.

He continued “If a man is building something, you as the City Engineer are required to find out if that that individual was granted the authority of the M&CC, and request copies of the necessary documents to support it, in this case, nothing could be provided to you but you see that a fence was being erected on those lands and you didn’t intervene? A notice should have been served”.

Mentore noted that while Venture was relying solely on a transport, the regulations governing the engineering department at the city council should have been followed.

The City Engineer however said that when he visited the worksite no works were being done at that time.

But Mentore made it clear that Venture was required to follow the instructions but did otherwise.

The Mayor instructed the City Engineer to provide a copy of the cease order as proof that it was indeed sent to the occupants of the land.

Mentore : “So Mr Venture how soon can you provide the copy of that cease order to me ?”

Venture: “Yes Sir I have it here now. I will provide it to you now and I will take a photo of it as well”.

Mayor: “Yes I appreciate that so by tomorrow I should have it”.

Things got even more hearted when councillor Steven Jacobs challenged Mentore on the cease order.

Jacobs contended that when he visited the work site on Carifesta Avenue no works were being conducted and he accused the Mayor of attempting to hinder the development of the project, which in his view would benefit all Guyanese.