Minister issues stop-work notice, vendors want land back for public use

LANDS Minister Benny Allan has issued a stop-work notice to the developer of Portion 56, the land between Gordon Market and the Saint John Clinic in the National Capital District.
Allan revealed this to The National yesterday in the presence of acting Lands Secretary Tiri Wanga and director impact projects Lazarus Malesa that developments on Portion 56 have been stopped.
“I met with senior executive management and I have given direction to issue a stop notice to the developer and I’m sure that must be done so we have put a stop to that,” Allan said.
Acting Secretary Wanga said the department was looking into the matter and a statement would be released soon.
“We have gone through that problem and we are currently going through securing the files and the documents for the allocation process.
“We have heard the intentions of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop to put a stop to the development.
“There’s always a case behind it.
“And the case is whether the land title or lease is obtained in good faith or it may be done through other means.
“So we have yet to establish and make a formal statement in regard to that,” Wanga said.
Governor Powes Parkop said the land was needed for Gordon market redevelopment and he would not allow a private company or a private developer to take ownership of it.
“Developers can have the land titles from the Department of Lands but when they want to develop the land they will have to get the approval from the NCD Physical Planning Board.”
Gordon’s Mothers Association, an umbrella association that looks at addressing the welfare and collective interest of women vendors at Gordon’s market, has demanded for the land which was allegedly fenced by a company owned by a Chinese national to be given back for public use.
Association president Aula Kamane and vice president Mesta James said this piece of land has supported a lot of families and must be made available for public use.
“Most of our families have been supported through this piece of land, this is our lifeline.
“Take back the land so it can be made available for public use,” Kamane said.