No decision on Pigeon Point yet

THE OPERATORS of Club Pigeon Point now have an additional week to wait before knowing the court’s decision on the constitutional motion brought against the State to block acquisition of the lands housing the popular Tobago tourist destination. High Court Judge Joseph Tam was expected to deliver the judgment yesterday. However, when the matter resumed, the judge informed the attorneys that due to the large number of litigations he was dealing with in the vacation court, he was unable to give a ruling. The judge then adjourned the matter to August 25 when he is once again expected to deliver the judgment. In adjourning the case, the judge explained that the increase in the number of litigations before the court was a result of citizens becoming more aware of their rights. He also pointed out that this situation has caused a backlog in the court system.

Both Club Pigeon Point’s attorney Dr Fenton Ramsahoye QC and State attorney Dr Lloyd Barnett agreed with the court’s decision to adjourn the matter. In addressing the court Ramsahoye explained that vacation court was meant to give attorneys and judges an opportunity to relax and deal with their personal affairs, however, the amount of litigation that is dealt with during the vacation period was making it impossible for this to happen. The motion was brought against the State by Robinson Crusoe Limited, operators of Club Pigeon Point and subsidiary of ANSA McAL in an attempt to have the court block the State from compulsorily acquiring the lands on which Club Pigeon Point was established at an investment cost of over $12 million over the last seven years and presently costs an additional $43 million annually to maintain. Dr Ramsahoye, together with Rikki Harnanan instructed by Adrian Byrne, is appearing in the matter for Robinson Crusoe Ltd, while the State is represented by Dr Barnett, Karen Fournillier, Terrance Thorne and John Jeremie, instructed by Rohana Hosein. The next hearing of the matter will be heard in the Port-of-Spain Fifth Civil Court.