Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon says that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) stands firmly in support of embattled former boss of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn, who was arrested yesterday in connection to the controversial leasing of lands at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
Harmon, after meeting with Benn at the Brickdam Police Station earlier today, said that the former official’s arrest is “pure outright harassment”. The Opposition Leader said that Benn’s detention comes on the heels of statements made by then-opposition Leader now Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, about “going after” Benn.
“This is expected; this is what he said he’s going to do. And so, this is nothing but any police investigation. This is pure, outright political harassment of Mr. Benn, and it comes after a long series of harassment of several other public servants who are carrying out their duties. This is not going to end well – it is not going to end well because I believe that the Guyanese people have had enough of this harassment,” he said.
Guyana Standard understands that Benn has not been charged for any offense but is being questioned by investigators about the land transaction.
Benn received marching orders last year following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) victory at the March 2020 polls. On August 7th, 2020, the administration announced that it will be reviewing all public land deals made by the APNU+AFC administration since December 21, 2018, following the passage of the no-confidence motion.
