| Residents of Bush Lot and surrounding villages on the West Coast of Berbice were left stunned when a group of men, armed with sledgehammers, crowbars and other house breaking implements descended on the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) at Sea View Park,Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic, West Coast Berbice in a demolition exercise.The men who were purportedly sent by the Ministry of Central Housing and Planning Unit (CH&PA) on Thursday braved the rain and carried out the exercise which residents claimed was totally uncalled for, and which resulted in millions of dollars going to waste.The crew ravaged the venue, destroying most of the multimillion dollar structures that were put in place to host horse racing and other sporting and recreational activity for the more than 10,000 persons in the surrounding areas.Many residents in the village were left in awe as the men, who were accompanied by police ranks proceeded to destroy the venue.The shed, paddock,Jerseys From China, fence,Cheap Jerseys USA, stables, a new reservoir and the gate were among some of the structures already ravaged. The men plan to return to complete the job.Most of the structures were recently constructed by the club, which, for the past three years since their return to the horse racing arena has been voted as the most progressive and improved in Guyana.One irate resident stated “Imagine the government giving away lands to the Trinidadians and in turn destroy millions of dollars’ worth in their own people’s property.”Another resident lamented, “If they had a problem with the club or the people running the club, at least they could have called a meeting with the members or with the villagers and discuss the problem. Imagine these people trying to organise activities in the community to keep the residents, especially the youths gainfully occupied, and look what these people are doing. It’s a shame when those in authority can descend so low to bully ordinary people who are trying to fill a void which the government is not providing.”The BLUTC recently received a letter dated October 11, purportedly from the CH&PA, instructing them to cease all developmental work at the venue, or they will face the consequences. No reasons were given for the cease order.According to residents in the village the land was given to the BLUTC by the then District Governor over 60 years ago for horse racing purposes.A few years ago, plans were made to construct a Health Centre on the track, but residents objected forcing the relocation of the Health Centre to another site.Efforts were already made before to build houses on the track, and part of the track was taken away for that purpose. Former Regional Chairman Jeffery Fraser had objected to houses being built on the land and had fully supported the idea of the residents developing the arena as a full horse racing track and sports facility.The members do not plan to give up without a fight and are leaving all their options open. They have so far tried unsuccessfully to get an audience with Sports Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, and an audience with the President is also planned as well as legal options.Lakeram Sookdeo, the present Coordinator of the facilities,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, is a re-migrant Guyanese who has race horses in various parts of North America.He has been one of the leading forces behind the resuscitation of the club which has been making tremendous strides over the years. He,Jerseys NFL China, along with others in the community,NHL Jerseys Authentic, spent millions to have the facility return to its past glory.The venue is the training ground for hundreds of horses and its destruction and closure will see immediate losses to the horse owners. Among the stables which will lose is Guyana’s biggest horse racing establishment, the Jumbo Jet stable, which has its home at Bush Lot. Other big and popular stables which use the venue include the Inshan Bacchus, Romell Jagmohan, The F and L Syndicate of Hopetown, Lakeran Sukdeo and Night Eyes Racing stable among a number of others that will have nowhere to exercise.A number of organizations, including churches and other social and community-based organisations use the venue on a regular basis. |
