Court halts removal of h/way billboards

The Outdoor Advertising Association was granted an injunction yesterday, which stopped Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis from breaking down 400 outdoor signs along the Uriah Butler Highway and its intersections. The temporary ex-parte injunction was granted by Justice David Myers in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Civil Court about 1 pm yesterday. While attorneys for nine members of the association were arguing their case before Justice Myers, the wrecking crew assigned to remove the billboards was reported to be in the vicinity of the intersection of the Uriah Butler and Churchill Roosevelt Highways.

When the matter is recalled on April 13, attorneys for the ministry will get an opportunity to defend the ministry’s decision to remove some of the signs. The application for the injunction was filed on behalf of Label House Group Ltd, Pearl and Dean Caribbean Ltd, A Gomez Burke and Company, Cosmic Signs Ltd, Kyam’s Advertising Ltd, Seedcom Signage Ltd, GM Advertising Ltd, Advertising Plus and L and R Khyan Advertising Productions. Attorneys for the association, led by Fyard Hosein SC and including Rishi Dass and Ravi Hefes-Doon, instructed by Nyre Alfonso and Company, claimed the ministry’s decision was illegal, procedurally improper and a breach of the association members’ legitimate expectation.

In a published advertisement on March 9, 2005, the ministry had warned of its intention to break the signs which it claimed were illegally errected. The ministry had also advised that only signs that had received the approval of the minister would be allowed to remain. The ministry said the signs were being removed in the interest of public and road safety, and visual amenity. The association is asking the court for a declaration of illegality, damages and legal costs.