Carvil Duncan, Diamond residents clash over property

Dec 03, 2016 News

– Roof, windows removed in high noon drama
What some residents of the Diamond Housing Scheme are describing as ‘criminal’ has resulted in a family of six now seeking refuge under the stars. The roof of their home was ripped off by a group of men while armed police officers reportedly surrounded their home demanding that they evict the premises.
The incident occurred around noon, Wednesday, in 13th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme while the Griffin family was up and about carrying out their daily chores.
While the details are somewhat sketchy, a neighbour told this publication that the Griffin family – who has been living at the house for the past 16 years – was involved in a seven-year court battle with the New Building Society. The matter, she said, was dismissed some months ago.
However, she alleged that the property was sold to Carvil Duncan a trade unionist while the case was going on.
The Union Boss was also present during the eviction exercise, reportedly issuing orders to the men that were dismantling the home.
The woman added that Duncan would from time to time visit the family issuing eviction threats. She added also that the matter is clearly a conflict and if not addressed urgently will result in the family being forced to live on the streets.
Head of the household, Queenella Griffin, told Kaieteur News that she was in her home on Wednesday when she heard someone calling and upon investigating, she saw a young man who identified himself as a Bailiff.
The woman said that she was confused and advised the man that he probably had the wrong address.
“I asked him to show me his badge and he didn’t. So I took all the documents that I got from the court and I went to show him but he didn’t want to see anything,” the distraught woman said.
Griffin said that whilst she was explaining to the individual, a man ran into the yard and hopped on to the roof and began removing the zinc sheets.
“I started to cry and dem neighbours run out and when I look around all I see is police with big guns circling the house cranking up…” The woman said that she became afraid and pulled in her door.
“He (Bailiff) tell me if I don’t come out how he will break down the (expletive) door,” the teary-eyed woman said clutching a bag full of documents.
The woman said that she began pleading with Duncan to call off the men since her grandchild was afraid and had already begun to wedge himself under a bed.
Griffin said that she never received any documents from the Court requesting that they evict nor were there any court documents presented to them by the “Bailiff”.
The woman said that she pleaded with Duncan to no avail.
“He is a Union (official); he does talk for people…He does represent people…Why he do this? Dem break down door, break up the louvers and take off the roof and when dem reach in, dem start to carry our things on the road.”
When Kaieteur News visited the residents some time around 13:45 hours, the family was seen huddled in a corner of the road weeping as they were being consoled by neighbours.
Griffin was seen clutching a bag of documents as she stared at her belonging that were packed on the edge of the parapet.
The family will be moving to take up the matter with the police and engage legal counsel to have it resolved.
Asked where they were going to stay now, Griffin and her family responded in unison, “Right here.”

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