DPP to offer legal advice on PNC’s ‘illegal’ occupation of gov’t building at Lethem

The Guyana Police Force has prepared a file to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the alleged “illegal occupation” of a government building at Lethem, Region Nine, by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R).

The building was used by the Opposition party to conduct party business and was recently partly demolished by the authorities after the PNC ignored several notices to vacate the premises.

Police Headquarters in a press release on Monday noted that on March 01, at about 23:50 hrs, Police ranks in Regional Division #9 went to the building where they met Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mr Karl Singh and six men.

According to the release, the REO indicated to the ranks that he had given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof since the building belongs to the Region and it was tendered for infrastructure work to be done.

The contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 02.

The Police statement further noted that at about 02:30 hrs on March 02, a motor pick-up bearing license plate # GRR 1100, driven by Carl Parker and minibus bearing license plate #BYY 755, driven by George Nicholson, arrived at the area where they started to “video” the building.

The release noted that the contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.

Police said Parker entered the compound and the building, where he started behaving disorderly and chasing the contractor and his workers. The contractor and his workers refused to move, it is alleged.

However, the ranks intervened and told Parker to maintain the peace.

“He became annoyed and entered three other times, where he continued to video the building and workers,” Police Headquarters said.

It is further alleged that the following day at about 16:00 hrs, the REO went to the Lethem Police Station where he made a formal report “that PNC officials Darren Wade, Dawn Hastings-Williams and others came and broke off the lock from the gate of the compound and damaged the fence.”

According to Police Headquarters, “They then entered the compound, abusing the contractor and his workers and chasing them from the building, telling them to leave.”

It is further alleged that, “The REO pointed out that he would have served APNU/AFC Chairperson and General Secretary a Notice and reminders to hand over the Government Building R#7 Lethem several times.”

As such, a file was prepared for this report and will be sent to the DPP on Monday.

The Police Force said it will take the appropriate action based on the recommendation from the DPP.