Final commissioner sworn in to Lands CoI

Apr 02, 2017 News

President David Granger on Thursday swore in the final commissioner, Paulette Henry to the Lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI). The ceremony was held at State House, Georgetown.

Commissioner Paulette Henry takes her Oath of Office as Commissioner on the Lands Commission of Inquiry yesterday as State House, Main Street Georgetown. (A Ministry of the Presidency Photograph)

According to Chief of Protocol, Francis Abraham, Henry was unable to attend the initial ceremony on March 10, last, when the Chairman and other members of the Commission took their oath.
The commission is being chaired by Rev. George Chuck-A-Sang and includes David James, Carol Khan-James, Professor Rudolph James, Lennox Caleb and Belinda Persaud.
The CoI was established earlier this month by the President to examine and make recommendations to resolve issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands, along with Amerindian land titling issues.
Abraham told the gathering which included the Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan and Ministers within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson and Dawn Hastings-Williams, that the establishment of the CoI is provided for by the Laws of Guyana.
He noted that the President may issue a Commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorising such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter, which in his opinion, an inquiry would be in the interest of the public.
The President, during the initial ceremony on March 10, has urged the Commissioners to execute their duties with due diligence since land represents economic stability and cultural, material and even spiritual identity for some people.
“They have almost a sacred duty not only to the Indians and the Africans, for generations to come, to ensure that we go forward into the future without disputing what God has given us bountifully; the land of this great country. You have taken an oath. You have sworn to execute your functions without fear or favour, affection or ill will and I pray to God you will do that, not for yourselves not for the Government for our children and the people of this country,” President Granger had said.
The President had also noted that the Government has recognised that the issues of land rights are far from settled and said that the establishment of this Commission is therefore intended to settle the various controversies, which may exist and to ensure that justice is served.

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