An Update on P.S.U.’s Hilltop Property

Doreth Cayetano-Obermayer

Months ago, the hilltop property and home of the Public Service Union in Belmopan was sold to Simplex Designs in Corozal, owned by a Chinese businessman. The property was retailed at four hundred thousand dollars, even though the union has been headquartered at that location for almost two decades and has invested over two hundred plus thousand dollars on the property. Since the incident unfolded, the Prime Minister intervened and there were two meetings leading up to the end of 2018 to chart the course going forward for the union to recover the property.  As News Five found out today from P.S.U. President Doreth Cayetano-Obermayer, at last word, the new owners wanted six hundred thousand dollars for the property, which the union has out-rightly refused.

Doreth Cayetano-Obermayer, President, Public Service Union

“They are saying that they want six hundred thousand instead of the four hundred thousand that was paid. Along with that is the stamp duty as well as the attorney’s fee. With that, we weren’t too please with that. That was basically the last discussion and information shared with us. The union willing to pay the hundred and eighty-seven thousand that was pending from 2001 whereby the value of the property at the time was four hundred and fifteen thousand. The union had already invested two hundred and twenty-seven thousand into the property, which leaves us with a balance of one hundred eighty-seven thousand plus. Nevertheless we met with the PM at the time and we had agreed that we are going up to two hundred thousand and that’s where we stand currently; we are not willing to pay nothing more than that two hundred thousand in order for us to acquire our property. And that would have been over a period of time.”

Duane Moody

“So what’s the next step going forward. I know that was only the second meeting back in December. So where to in terms of the lifespan that you guys would have here?”

Doreth Cayetano-Obermayer

“Well the way forward for us is till to figure out how we can communicate mutually or negotiate in that manner before we go to court. So we are still planning to meet with the mayor to see what it is that they can offer us and what can be done in whatever form of discussion.”