One of the chained and padlocked entrances to the Warrens Office Complex.
I have had enough!
This declaration from the owner of the Warrens Office Complex, Al Barrack, as he this morning placed two massive locks and chains on the doors of the building, prohibiting scores of civil servants from the various Government departments housed in the complex from entering.
Frustrated that he has still not received the money Government owes him for the construction of the building or for rent, the contractor said he took the action because he wanted what is due to him.
Police were dispatched to the scene.
“I’m not opening here until they bring the cheque. This has been going on for 14 years . That is too long,” he declared.
“I am the owner of the building. I am not here to make no noise with anybody. This is not an eviction.”
Almost eight years ago, Barrack was awarded $34 million by the law courts after suing Government over the completion of the complex.
He has had vowed to recover every cent he and his creditors are owed – $75 million with accrued interest.
During a telephone conversation with Barrack this morning, Minister of Housing and Land, Denis Kellman told the contractor he was “quite surprised” by his actions, to which Barrack retorted: “I took it because I told you I would do it and you told me I wouldn’t do it. So I did it.”
Al Barrack makes his case to property manager of the complex, William Clarke.
“I have legal possession of this building. The Government gave me possession of this building in 2009. The Cabinet of Barbados gave me the building in 2009 and they told me it was irreversible. I sat there and waited for six years . . . so I lock it.
“I didn’t want to do this but I had to do it because you all doan care if I eat or not. This is all I work for in my entire life. I am almost 80 years old and you paying games with my life. Y’all messing me up. How I gon eat,” he asked the minister.