After 12 months and an extended period, Bishop Cyprian Williams and his congregation at the New Birth Gospel Tabernacle in Cayon, are still waiting on government to keep its promise so that construction of the new church can begin.
Government officials asked for an additional period up until November 30, 2017 to formalise the official ceding of a new plot of land to the church.
The New Birth Gospel Tabernacle was in the process of expanding their church structure in the Cabbage Tree Housing community in October 2016, when their plans were revoked by the Building Board.
In March 2017, the church was notified that they had been allocated an alternative plot of land to build the new Tabernacle, but some time was needed to complete the legal work. Church officials were operating under the understanding that they would have been compensated for costs incurred as a result of the relocation. The Church has been holding its services and meetings under a tent near the area of Wash Ghut.
A posting on FaceBook headlined “Double standard and hypocrisy,” an Andre Liburd who says he represents the Team Unity Intelligence Unit noted that a gas station is being constructed right across the road from the original site of the New Birth Gospel Tabernacle whose building and construction permit was revoked by the same Building Board that approved the construction of the gas station.
Responding to that statement, Bishop Williams said he has no problem with business enterprises within the Green Valley area “if the gas station went through all the stages of the various arms of Government and the planning and development board and that it will not affect the health of its neighbours or the environmental landscape.”
“We were not the only church in such an area as many churches are in peoples’ living room on Sunday mornings, which was never a problem,” said Bishop Williams, who mounted demonstrations outside of the Offices of Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris in an effort to get the land issue resolved.
He disclosed that New Birth started construction of its old structure in November 2001.
“We dedicated the building on the 26th January 2002, before many of the homes were erected in the said area. There was a concern by one homeowner about the noise, thus the decision was taken to install air conditioning units. We never had a problem or situation with our neighbours as they became our neighbours,” said Bishop Williams.
“As a church, we are not upset with the residents of Cabbage Tree Housing in Cayon. We enjoyed our years there. All citizens have a right to protest, complain or conduct a silent petition if they needs too. We were never told that there was one going on,” said Williams, pointing out that the Government through the Planning and Control Board revoked the building permit in October 2016, stating in the letter that they “made a mistake.”
He said the Board made no mention of a petition.
“The church was forced out from its location and had to seek temporary (leased) land between Keys and Cayon with no help or assistance from the government who ‘made the mistake’,” he said.
Bishop Williams disclosed that on March 3, 2017 the Church was promised an exchange of land.
“It’s a whole year already. The church has spent over EC$100,000 to be in that area. Every month the government delays the turning over (of the new lot), it is costing us,” said Bishop who emphasized that he must report that the “outstanding land issue has not been settled as of March 22, 2018.