Attorney General meets with Kingelley residents

Upon the instructions of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, met with the residents of Kingelley Village yesterday. The Attorney General was accompanied by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Region 5, Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Fizal Jafferally and Mr. Harry Gill.  The Attorney General informed the residents that from all indications, the land is State Land and that the Government will regularise their occupation in due course

Background

While in Opposition, the residents of Kingelley Village had approached the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, for assistance, in respect of a claim by Lincoln Lewis that his fore-parents owned the village. Most of the residents disclosed that they have been living in the village, in their individual homes, from birth and their parents lived there as well. Some of them are now eighty (80) years old. In short, their occupation of that village dates back to over a century.

Mr. Lewis also made his claim of ownership to a Commission of Inquiry, in respect to ancestral lands established by former President David Granger. Mr. Nandlall prepared a written statement on behalf of the residents and submitted it to that Commission.

Additionally, Mr. Nandlall filed Applications for Prescriptive Title for more than twenty (20) of these residents and all were granted. Some persons received their Transport already. The Registrar of Deeds’ Report disclosed that there was no titular owner of the land. No one, including, Lincoln Lewis lodged any opposition to the Applications for Prescriptive Title as is required by the law.

Notwithstanding, Mr. Lewis continues to maintain his claim of ownership and has erected fences in certain parts of the village, in some cases, fencing off persons’ homes. In addition, he has been bullying, threatening and assaulting the residents. He has been charged by the Police.

The residents filed complaints with the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Housing and Water, the Minister of Local Government and Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, seeking the assistance of the Government of Guyana.