Lands Commissioner sent on leave; asked to prepare status report for President

Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) Trevor Benn has been instructed by Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President Abena Moore to proceed on 42 days annual leave commencing September 18, 2020.

When contacted by the News Room on Thursday, Benn confirmed that he received a letter signed by Moore.

“Yes, I have received a letter to go on leave commencing tomorrow,” Benn said.

The News Room has seen a copy of the letter which also asks Benn to document for President Irfaan Ali the status of all matters pending or in progress.

Moore in the letter has also instructed Benn to prepare a handover/takeover statement to be given to Mr Enrique Monize who would be the acting Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the agency.

Shortly after taking office in August, the PPP Government revoked the powers that were delegated to Benn by former President David Granger, to allow for the sanctioning of renting and granting of leases, licenses, and permission of occupancy of all public lands.

Those powers were revoked by President Ali who now carries the responsibility.

The new Government had said that all public land deals made by the APNU+AFC administration since December 21, 2018, when a no-confidence motion was passed against it, are to be reviewed.