THE Ministry of Housing and Water will be moving to the courts to have members of the People’s Parliament removed from illegally occupying the newly erected Parliament Square, which is set to be officially opened to the public on December 1.

Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali, during a press briefing yesterday at the Ministry’s Brickdam office, expressed disgust over the destruction and illegal occupation of the Parliament Square which, he said, is clearly politically driven.
He stated that over the last three months, the Ministry has exercised tremendous tolerance, pointing to the fact that development cannot be hijacked, or railroaded by a few who have no interest in national development.

“On many occasions they were abusive to our staff…the staffers who were there did not react to their abuse in any form…the action of this group has caused us not only delays, but also exposed us to contractual issues,” he said .
This project is part of the ministry’s Urban Renewal Plan which is intended to change the landscape of the capital city.  Among the other projects to be completed under this plan are the Stabroek Market Square Re-development and the Brickdam Renewal.
The Parliament Square - a privately owned property, was in its final phase of completion when the representatives of the People’s Parliament illegally occupied the  facility, and refused to vacate despite being issued with letters to move on numerous occasions.
The agreement with the contractor would have seen the project completed in August. During the three months since they have occupied the area, several sections of the property were destroyed.
Erected signs which were done to the tune of $264,000 were completely destroyed on two occasions. The ministry was also forced to re-do the lawns and replant decorative plants, which were destroyed and which cost $200,000 and $275,000 respectively.
“This is what some people in our society want to consider peaceful and lawful…this is the type of disregard and damage to property that is being tolerated…we have been very tolerant on this issue, but no more,” the minister declared.
The Housing Minister  was adamant that, to safeguard the public facility and assets, the occupants have to be removed.
He stated that the ministry will not sit idly by and allow its staffers to be spat on and verbally abused by  members of the People’s Parliament. The ministry will be taking legal action for damage to property, defacing of property and the abuse of staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
“These staffers are executing their duty, and they should be respected when executing their duties… They cannot be spat upon and insulted upon and we will not tolerate such behaviour,” he reiterated.
Ali also called on the public to not be misled by the perpetrators through which the opposition propaganda is being channelled.

He said while the government believes in democracy and freedom of expression, such liberties should not be abused.
The CH&PA has already consulted its lawyer and the legal documents which are being drafted, will be presented to the head of the People’s Parliament.
In addition, the Housing and Water Minister expressed disgust over the manner in which the political opposition have supported such illegal actions.     
“It is quite obvious that the political opposition who are supporting this in its entirety, is aware of the illegality of their actions, but they are looking to create problems for government using every avenue possible,” he said.
Minister Ali also condemned the latest move by the People’s Parliament which placed photographs of the CH&PA staffers on the internet and sought to defame their characters.

Such move is being condemned in its entirety, and mechanisms are being put in place to have the CH&PA staff and their family members provided with security, as they remain fearful for their lives.
The square will be used for family recreation, poetry nights, and steel pan competition among other activities.