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Close Topic OptionsGovernment To Grab Zoo Land
Government Grab Zoo Land - Trinidad, Tobago / Caribbean - Posted: 24th Feb, 2010 - 5:38pm
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Government To Grab Zoo Land
What do you all think of the idea of the Prime Minister to take over the Zoo?
QUOTE Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his administration are refusing to ditch what is believed to be a plan hatched at Cabinet level to acquire the just over seven acres of prime Port-of-Spain land on which the 58-year-old Emperor Valley Zoo stands. As a result, the Zoological Society of T&T has filed for judicial review, seeking to restrain Manning, who is named as the prime defendant, from continuing to move to change the legal framework under which the society operates. The legal challenge was filed by the San Fernando law firm headed by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, late last month, and a date for hearing is being awaited. The zoo has been in operation as a statutory body since November 8, 1952, and is home to more than 190 species of animals. It exists on state funding, earned income and donations. (See other story).
According to the statement of claim filed by the law firm, alarm bells rang in the society's boardroom when it received official word last July from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, that Cabinet at its July 1 meeting had decided to repeal the ZSTT (Incorporation) Ordinance, No 12 of 1952, and replace it with "a more detailed legal and regulatory framework consistent with current legal design of statutory bodies." The society responded with a pre-action protocol letter, dated July 31, demanding the rescinding of this decision, without success. And by letter dated November 4, the society again objected to the legislative reshuffle, but was informed there was no turning back, the statement indicated. Maharaj told the Sunday Guardian that Manning was specifically named as the main defendant in the claim for judicial review, because he heads the Cabinet. He added: "The Government, apparently, wants to nationalise the zoo, but the Government does not own the land on which the zoo operates. It is owned by the trustees of the society."
"To operate, the zoo needs people with special skills who love animals. "If the Government takes over the zoo, it can put that prime property to other use." He said the judicial review application was the society's way of fighting for the promotion of animal rights and for the public to have the continuing right to view the animals in their St Ann's home, which is next to the Botanical Gardens, which in turn borders President's House. He said he intended to argue that the Cabinet decision was unlawful, on the grounds it would likely breach the society's right to the enjoyment of property, as guaranteed by the T&T Constitution. Maharaj is demanding that the Cabinet records, detailing all the discussions that took place leading to the decision to amend the ZSTT Ordinance, be produced in court...
According to the statement of claim filed by the law firm, alarm bells rang in the society's boardroom when it received official word last July from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, that Cabinet at its July 1 meeting had decided to repeal the ZSTT (Incorporation) Ordinance, No 12 of 1952, and replace it with "a more detailed legal and regulatory framework consistent with current legal design of statutory bodies." The society responded with a pre-action protocol letter, dated July 31, demanding the rescinding of this decision, without success. And by letter dated November 4, the society again objected to the legislative reshuffle, but was informed there was no turning back, the statement indicated. Maharaj told the Sunday Guardian that Manning was specifically named as the main defendant in the claim for judicial review, because he heads the Cabinet. He added: "The Government, apparently, wants to nationalise the zoo, but the Government does not own the land on which the zoo operates. It is owned by the trustees of the society."
"To operate, the zoo needs people with special skills who love animals. "If the Government takes over the zoo, it can put that prime property to other use." He said the judicial review application was the society's way of fighting for the promotion of animal rights and for the public to have the continuing right to view the animals in their St Ann's home, which is next to the Botanical Gardens, which in turn borders President's House. He said he intended to argue that the Cabinet decision was unlawful, on the grounds it would likely breach the society's right to the enjoyment of property, as guaranteed by the T&T Constitution. Maharaj is demanding that the Cabinet records, detailing all the discussions that took place leading to the decision to amend the ZSTT Ordinance, be produced in court...
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TOPIC: Government To Grab Zoo Land