Concerned residents claim businessman built “secret road” behind CJIA, GDF base

Apr 23, 2014 News

Residents of Timehri North are expressing grave concern over what they are convinced is a major security threat for not only their

A section of the “secret road” which connects Timehri North with the Base Road.

community, but for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)’s military base, Camp Stephenson, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
The residents have highlighted the presence of a “secret road “allegedly constructed by a Soesdyke businessman behind the military base and leading directly to the community and the CJIA. During a visit to the Timehri community over the weekend, this newspaper was directed to an almost three mile-long road which included a foot path between Timehri North and the Timehri Base Road.
The construction of this footpath, the residents said is being claimed by a businessman who goes by the name, ‘Churchill’ and operates a wholesale grocery shop in the vicinity. The residents are even more concerned, as they claim the man is a former security guard, once employed at the CJIA.
Public Relations Officer of the Timehri North Community Council, Sherlander Daniels, told Kaieteur News that she is not only aware of the secret road which is nestled within the thick bushes surrounding the community, but she is also aware that local farmers are complaining about the Base Road resident cordoning off the farmers’ land and restricting its use.
She told Kaieteur News that the businessman would have crossed the swampy area which divides the two communities making it one. This is however unsafe, she said, since it is an unmonitored entry into Timehri, in proximity to the international airport and the military base.
Daniels expressed that she is also aware that the businessman is claiming to have legal documents for the land which was tagged by the government as being state land and thus insisted the relocation of Timehri residents. The man has however failed to show the proof of ownership. After being pushed out of initial farmlands by the CJIA’s expansion project, farmers went in search of new land and are claiming that the businessman has blocked their progress in restarting their farming activities.
However, residents say that outsiders have been using the path to enter and exit Timehri North. The foot path not only enables easy and quite access to Timehri, but it is also before the Timehri Police Station, “meaning that any illegal activity is off the road before it passes the police station,” a resident insisted.
A foot path of almost two miles was created with form boards over the soggy swamp area, while the remainder of the road is a track accessible by vehicles.
Residents say they are totally against the two communities being connected, because persons can smuggle in illegal items and moreover, commit illegal acts and escape, leaving residents to take the blame.
Also, this “secret road” can take persons to any section of the CJIA and the army base, leaving them possibly exposed, with a quick and easy getaway route.
The Timehri residents are not only calling on the military to block off or man this alleged secret road, but they are demanding an explanation from the government as to how the businessman reportedly got documentation for his farmland.