Pastor admits church on dangerous grounds

DANGER: A Petrotrin ‘no trespassing’ sign at the front of the Church of God Prophecy in Barrackpore. The oil company wants the building knocked down and members to go elsewhere and pray. PHOTO BY ANSEL JEBODH
DANGER: A Petrotrin ‘no trespassing’ sign at the front of the Church of God Prophecy in Barrackpore. The oil company wants the building knocked down and members to go elsewhere and pray. PHOTO BY ANSEL JEBODH

PASTOR of the Church of God Prophecy, Roy Seebaran, yesterday agreed to leave the church building located 60 feet from Petrotrin’s oil well at Mussarap Trace in Barrackpore. However, Seebaran is appealing to Petrotrin to provide an alternative site to reconstruct the church.

He said church officials held a meeting yesterday with Petrotrin officials about the risk and alternative accommodation. But while Seebaran admits he and his church congregation are exposed to danger, he maintains that he is entitled to compensation. Petrotrin sent Seebaran a letter to quit its compound and also erected a No Trespassing sign in front the church. Yesterday, the company issued a media release following Newsday’s story about the church’s dangerous location and risk to members. It did not mention if discussions were held with Seebaran but confirmed the company did serve a ‘Final Cease and Desist Notice’ to the church.

Maintaining that the church is in illegal and unlawful occupation of the company’s freehold land, Petrotrin stated, “Petrotrin denies the assertions as it relates to occupation of its lands by the church and/or a member of same for a cumulative period of over thirty (30) years.

“The company’s action follows a number of site visits conducted by its officials and meetings with representatives of the church since February where several violations were observed in breach of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries’ stipulated minimum building line setback distance of 100 feet from the oil well. Representatives of the church were cautioned about the health, safety and environmental risks associated with these violations.”

The release went on to say that people should avoid unauthorized occupation of company’s lands. The release said that Petrotrin has been unable to carry out work on its well due to the inherent risk involved.

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"Pastor admits church on dangerous grounds"

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