Latest update August 3rd, 2026 12:25 AM
Latest News
- 13 Canadian firms now have full grip on Guyana’s gold sector
- ‘MV Barima salvage too urgent for lengthy tender process’ – Mahipaul urges Govt. to invoke emergency procurement powers
- Iran says negotiations with Oman over Strait of Hormuz in final stages
- Chinese businesses make additional donation to MV Barima relief efforts
- Australian firm unveils 75,000m drill programme for massive Reg. 7 gold project
Town Clerk distances self from City Hall lawsuit against Govt. over Water St. property
Kaieteur Sports – Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Candace Nelson has publicly disassociated herself from legal proceedings filed by the municipality against Attorney General Anil Nandlall, stating that she neither authorised nor signed any documents connected to the case.
In a statement on her Facebook page addressing reports linking her to the High Court action, Nelson said her name was incorrectly associated with the lawsuit concerning the former City Constabulary Training Complex on Water Street. “Please be informed that I am not part of those legal proceedings. I did not authorise the filings of those proceedings and I did not sign any legal documents in relation to those proceedings,” she expressed.
Town Clerk (ag) Candace Nelson
Under municipal law, legal action by the council is typically brought in the name of the Town Clerk. However, in an invited comment yesterday, Nelson told Kaieteur News that if the Town Clerk does not sign, the council may designate another representative, a provision she believes may have led to confusion about her role. “Persons just saw the Town Clerk versus the Attorney General…my name was carried stating that I was the one taking the matter to court, but it was not me,” she said.
Nelson disclosed that the matter was first brought to her last April 2, when she was asked to sign legal documents initiating the proceedings, but after reviewing them, she said she declined to do so immediately and advised the two councillors who approached her that she first needed to obtain legal advice.
According to her, the documents were subsequently taken away and never returned. “I was asked to sign but after reading it, I told the councillors I needed to seek legal advice based on what is there. They collected it and that was the last time I had any discussion about it. The document never came back to me, they never called me or anything; I had nothing to do with it, so I’m not sure what is happening with it,” she said, adding that she only became aware the case had been filed when she saw media reports attributing the action to her.
The M&CC moved ahead with legal action in the High Court against the Attorney General and businessman Roshan Khan over the disputed occupation of the City Constabulary, contending that the municipally owned property was unlawfully occupied by police and private security personnel, with city officials allegedly prevented from accessing the compound. The claim further states that no authorisation was granted for the installation of locks, security presence, or signage indicating the property had been earmarked for government development.
City Hall is seeking several orders from the court, including declarations that the occupation amounts to trespass, the removal of those currently on the property, and an injunction to halt any further activity on the land. The council is also pursuing damages in excess of US$5 million, maintaining that the municipality has never sold or otherwise transferred ownership of the property. Nelson reiterated that her clarification should not be interpreted as support for or opposition to the lawsuit, but rather an effort to correct the public record regarding her involvement.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has since rejected the city council’s position, asserting that the disputed property belongs to the State, not the municipality. He told this publication yesterday that the building has been abandoned for more than 20 years and has since deteriorated significantly. Nandlall maintained that the government is moving to take control of the property to put it to productive use in the public interest. While he did not specify what the facility will be used for, he said that the relevant government minister will provide details at the appropriate time.
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
