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Some Berbice rice farmers are up in arms over a recent move by the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), to repossess their farmlands, depriving them of their livelihood in the process.Phillip Johnson,L.C. Greenwood Steelers Jersey, of Seafield,Jack Ham Steelers Jersey, West Coast Berbice,James Harrison Steelers Jersey, travelled to the city,Jerome Bettis Steelers Jersey, and visited this publication yesterday to vent his frustration against the MMA/ADA, saying that he believes that there could be some level of collusion that has led to the repossessing of the lands.Johnson provided this publication with a copy of a lease agreement,Julian Edelman Patriots Jersey, issued under the hand of former President Donald Ramotar, which was finalized in November last.The MMM/ADA subsequently published a notice in the dailies which states that as a result of a court action last year October,Lynn Swann Steelers Jersey, all the leases are cancelled with immediate effect.Johnson said that he made contact with the MMA/ADA General Manager, A. Charles,Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Packers Jersey, who informed him of the court action and said nothing further could be done.The land,Rocky Bleier Steelers Jersey, he said, has already been cultivated at a substantial cost. To compound the situation,John Hannah Patriots Jersey, the rice farmers are now being asked to pay the MMA/ADA to reap the rice cultivated on the land.The affected rice farmers believe that the issue stems more from collusion between members of the MMA/ADA and a selected few farmers who control the majority of lands in the West Berbice District.Johnson said that just about six families were in control of some 500 acres of rice lands in the area. The cultivation was being undertaken under the name of a defunct corporation.He said that these lands were previously under a sub-let structure by those in charge, contrary to any lease arrangements with the administration. |
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