Government has officially turned the sod to start work on rebuilding the Green Bridge near to the Sporting Stadium at Queen¹s Park. The bridge is said to be a critical component of the work to be undertaken by Grenada to stage matches in next year¹s ICC Cricket World Cup.

Work on the facility was being held up due to an going court case involving the State and the operators of a tyre shop in the area. The business owner, Azam Rahaman had took the issue of government¹s move to evict him from the premises to curt.

Local high court judge, Justice Kenneth Benjamin had earlier ruled in favour of Rahaman. However, last week, the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal overturned the Benjamin injunction blocking Government from going ahead with its plans to improve the infrastructure around the stadium.

The injunction was obtained by Attorney-at-law, Celia Clyne-Edwards acting on behalf of Rahaman. A government statement said that this move had prevented the State from taking steps to move Rahaman from the property he was occupying.

Legal Advisor to Cabinet, Hugh Wildman was successful in his application to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal in St. Lucia and got the Court to agree that the law was misapplied.

Wildman successfully argued against Justice Benjamin¹s ruling which stated that Rahaman could not be moved because he had an ongoing business.

Minister of Agriculture, Land and Public Utilities, Gregory Bowen had earlier expressed serious concern over the injunction and its impact on Grenada¹s plans to host the World Cup. Minister Bowen noted that this was one of the only areas that the ICC had given Grenada a bad marks for.

He expressed his worry that the injunction could derail Grenada¹s World Cup efforts and spoil the tremendous opportunities that the World Cup would bring. The senior government minister said he was pleased that the project could now go ahead.

Meanwhile, RAHAMAN has issued the following statement following the rluing from the Court of Appeal:

³Azam Rahaman has been tenant of premises at Green Bridge, St. George¹s for over seventeen (17) years since he rented the same from Jimmy Lewis, now deceased.

Since 2001 when government acquired the land, Government promised to assist Azam Rahaman in securing alternative premises so he could relocate his business, which is the largest supplier of tyres in Grenada.

Despite its numerous promises. government has not done so. Up to early 2006, an alternative piece of land was identified to which Rahaman could relocate his business, but at the last minute government backed out of this.

Without any government assistance, Rahaman purchased his own piece of land to relocate upon. Government then sent a notice giving Rahaman two (2) weeks to leave the premises on the basis that he is a squatter.

Rahaman had no choice but to file the court action for a declaration that he was in lawful occupation of his premises and government had no right to evict him. At the same time, because the time was unreasonably short, he obtained an injunction preventing government from evicting him until the rights had been determined, that is until the court action has been heard.

Government appealed the grant of injunction, and on Thursday, May 18, 2006, the Court of Appeal ruled that any damages which Azam Rahaman may suffer as a result of Government evicting him could be adequately compensated in money or money¹s worth.

It therefore discharged the injunction. However, Government¹s counsel gave an undertaking to the court to urge government to provide Rahaman with reasonable notice to leave the premises. Azam Rahaman remains a tenant in lawful occupation of his premises.

The trial of the action to determine the legal status is set for June 1 and Rahaman remains always willing to settle the matter as settlement talks have been on-going in the meantime. Rahaman came to Grenada in 1967, almost 40 years ago during the rule of former late Prime Minister, Sir. Eric Mathew Gairy. He was involved in a family-run company, Federal Investments, manufacturers of Red Spot beverages.

Rahaman has served as the President of the Grenada Manufacturer¹s Association, a Director on the Board of Grenlec and the President of the Rotary Club of Grenada. He also served as President of Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce for two terms.

Rahaman currently serves as a Director of the Board of Nawasa appointed by the Grenada Private Sector Organization. He is currently a Director of the National Aids Council.

Rahaman provides employment for fifty-one (51) people on a full-time basis.