After 100 years...M&CC wants to demolish first ever gas station building

After 100 years…M&CC wants to demolish first ever gas station building

May 06, 2017 News

-Owner opposes decision
The owner of that building located on 1 Brickdam and Cornhill Street, west of Public Building, is fearful that City Hall may go ahead with its threat to demolish the property.

This used to be the first ever petrol gas station in British Guiana.

The building, adjacent to Timehri bus park, housed the first ever petrol station in British Guiana. It had to be shut down in 2001, due to the severe traffic congestion it caused in the Stabroek Market area.
The structure, which was constructed under the watch of its late owner, Nathaniel Samuels, is now being occupied by a barber and a few vendors.
“We have been occupying this site legally, for approximately 100 years,” the owner, Turhane Mohabeer, said. Samuels was his grandfather.
He noted that the company is a “limited liability company duly registered and operating.”
“Our rates and taxes are paid up to date, and our lease fees are also paid on time, every time,” Mohabeer added.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has explained that the decision to issue notices to the owner of the building, was prompted by its deplorable condition.
“The Parliament is the highest decision-making body in the country. We cannot continue to have its environs in that condition. We have therefore taken a decision to clean up that area,” Green said.
Meanwhile, Mohabeer admitted that the area is indeed in a deplorable condition, but assured that his company, Nathaniel Samuels Limited, is working to remedy its lapses.
“We are aware that the site is in an unacceptable state and now, we will be addressing this situation in the very near future, since we are only now in a position to do so.”
Mohabeer explained that since 2003, his entity had been locked in court battles with delinquent and illegal occupants, “who have given the place a bad name.”
“We regained full control of the premises on Friday April 21, last, after being successful in evicting the last delinquent occupant,” Mohabeer noted.
In a letter to this newspaper, the businessman pointed to the erection of stalls on the northern side of his building.
“…Part of which, is a portion of our property,” Mohabeer contended.
He went further to point out that “one of the stall holders is claiming that they were placed there by the Town Council.”
Mohabeer noted that while his previous tenants were guilty of “messing up the area”, the recently set up stalls have also added significantly to the negative condition that exists.
“They are operating under very insanitary conditions and obnoxious smells are emanating from this area,” Mohabeer said.
Informed of the businessman’s arguments, Chase-Green said that City Council is still open to speaking with Mohabeer to determine the way forward.

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