News Source Guyana Reports | A heated dispute has arisen over the control of the Critchlow Labour College building on Woolford Avenue, leading to an altercation between Lincoln Lewis, Director of the College, and Dr. Stanley Paul, who claims to have seized control of the property.
This morning, Lewis threatened to bulldoze the fence to the College premises to regain access, alleging that Dr. Paul has no authority to claim ownership of the entire property after he rented a section of the building. Following two recent fires, Dr. Paul reportedly claims that he has laid ownership to the entire site.
Upon arriving with an excavator, Lewis was met with resistance from Dr. Paul, who warned the machine operator that he was prepared to defend the property. This confrontation resulted in the operator backing down.
Dr. Paul contends that Critchlow Labour College relinquished its rights to the property when he entered a 30-year commercial lease agreement on June 11, 2025, which was signed by Principal Ivor English and witnessed by Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) President Norris Witter. This agreement came three months after a fire caused significant damage to the property.
According to the lease, the entire front building of the Critchlow Labour College was leased to Dr. Paul’s University at a monthly rent of $1 million, with an advance payment of $4 million. Dr. Paul stated, “I have been renting here since 2016… so based on my wealth of experience in business, I wouldn’t get involved in a lease unless I am absolutely and totally secure.”
Dr. Paul claims he began construction on the building after the agreement was signed. However, he says that when Critchlow Labour College officials approached him about collaboration, he declined, citing past dealings that had made him wary of any partnership.
“The lease itself explicitly states that I am in charge of all the gates, all the entrances,” Dr. Paul asserted. “Critchlow has no authority to come in this place.”
In contrast, Lincoln Lewis insists that the land on Woolford Avenue was leased to the College by the City of Georgetown, and that no subletting can occur without the Council’s approval. He claims that while Dr. Paul rented parts of the building, there was no formal agreement to lease the entire property.
Lewis plans to take the matter to court, maintaining that the lease signed by Ivor English is null and void, as it did not receive Board approval. “Nobody can sign a lease for Critchlow Labour College unless the Board has permitted it,” he said. He further noted that he had no part in the agreement, as he was ill during that period, and returned to find the premises locked.
The situation has escalated to legal action, with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council having issued a cease and desist order to Dr. Paul in December 2025 for building on the property without the necessary permissions. Mayor Alfred Mentor reaffirmed that any transaction regarding the property is null and void due to the lack of Council approval.
As the dispute continues, both sides remain steadfast in their claims, leading to an uncertain future for the Critchlow Labour College and its operations.
