Indian Expo ordered to pack up

This was the agreement arrived at following a High Court application filed by the Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation last week .

According to the TPRC’s claim, Enigma Events Limited - the operators of the Expo which is located opposite the Centre of Excellence in Macoya - did not have the necessary building approvals from the corporation .

Justice Carol Gobin presided over the matter which was brought by the corporation’s chairman and council against Enigma Events Limited .

The corporation was represented by attorney Farai Hove Masaisai instructed by the firm of Hove and Associates while Enigma Events Limited was represented by attorney Simon de la Bastide instructed by Nyree Alfonso .

At the hearing, Enigma Events’ attorney agreed that his client did not have the approval from the corporation’s engineer, but submitted that the TPRC lacked the required rights to facilitate the proceedings .

In a spirit of compromise, Justice Gobin initially provided an option for the temporary operation of the business given the closeness of Indian Arrival day after which Enigma Events would be required to seek the necessary approvals .

However after deliberations, Engima Events gave the undertaking to cease and desist from conducting any trade or business operations on or before 11:59 p.m. on the June 6 .

The operators of the Indian Expo have also agreed to begin dismantling its white tent on June 7 and this is to be completed by June 13. Engima Events have also agreed to approach the TPRC to attain the necessary approvals for all future structures before commencing any trade or business operations .

They were also ordered to pay the TPRC’s costs in the sum of $2,500 .

In a statement, the TPRC said that its chairman Paul Leecock and members of council were willing to explore the option to allow Enigma Events to continue operations until June 6 just after the Indian Arrival Day Celebrations since according to the chairman “we support and welcome all form of legitimate economic activity in the Tunapuna/Piarco Region” The corporation noted that the action was pursued in the High Court since its council felt that it was imperative that all businesses in the region meet the required standards as set out in the Municipal Corporation Act for operating within the region and by so doing protect the wider interest of all of all burgesses .

The corporation also encouraged all business and burgesses to seek the lawful approvals from Council prior to setting up trade and/or constructing any structure within the region .