Last night we told you about the violent showdown that played out on Saturday morning at the Tourism Village when Ministry of Natural Resources' workmen attempted to remove a wooden fence. That fence separates the Tourism Village and the Harbor View Restaurant and the Ministry wants it removed because they say it obstructs the boardwalk, which rests above the river, which the Ministry controls.
But the Tourism Village says the fence is on its private property. Well not so according to Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources Ismael Fabro. He today told us that the Tourism Village illegally erected the fence on government land and it must come down.
Ismael Fabro, Chief Executive Officer - MNRI
"Those structures were erected without the necessary permits and licenses that are required for them to be erected. The other issue is since these structures were erected illegally, and they were obstructing the boardwalk, the entire concept of the boardwalk was for tourists to be able to walk across the boardwalk and utilize the boardwalk. If the walls and structures are obstructing the boardwalk, then the entire concept of the boardwalk is rendered null and void."
Keith Swift,
So you want the wall down?
Ismael Fabro,
"The wall would have been brought down and replaced with retractable gates thereby still yet ensuring the security of the port."
Keith Swift,
But you do agree that you need permission to take it down though.
Ismael Fabro,
"We had the authority, since they were instructed. This is the way the law operates. If you build something illegally, without the necessary permits and licenses, you are given a notice of such and you are instructed to bring the walls. In your failure to follow these instructions, then the Ministry has the right to exercise its authority to bring it down."
Keith Swift,
So you will take down that wall?
Ismael Fabro,
"We have all intentions to take it down and replace it with a retractable gate."
Keith Swift,
Will the wall on the other side of the village be torn down?
Ismael Fabro,
"It is on both sides. What holds for one side holds for the other, it is the entire concept of the board walk that we are talking about."
Attorney for the Fort Street Tourism Village Dean Barrow has applied for an injunction against Fabro's Ministry of Natural Resources and a judge will hear that request on Friday. Until then the Ministry of Natural Resources has agreed not to make any further attempts to remove the fence.
