By Erica Virtue,
Staff Reporter
BUSINESSMEN WHO suffered during the 1999 gas riots have been denied a forum to recover their losses, because there have been no sittings of the Riot Compensation Authority (RCA) in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine for more than a year.
Sittings have been halted because the contract of the Resident Magistrate chairing the hearings has ended and no other Magistrate has been identified, sources tell The Gleaner.
The Riot Act of 1857 makes persons whose businesses were destroyed during the 1999 demonstrations against increased gas prices eligible for compensation. At least 15 applications were made islandwide, with at least six cases heard in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine. Three awards have been made and three cases dismissed.
Since the Riot Compensation Authority made a $64.5 million award to a St. Catherine business owner a year ago, hearings in that parish have been shut down and the Attorney-General's Department issued instructions that the department be notified and represented at all sittings. Information last week confirmed that hearings have been halted.
"I believe the Resident Magistrate was a contract judge and that contract has ended. So far, no other judge has been identified," a source from the Attorney-General's Department said.
The source, who did not wished to be named, explained that the department has requested a presence because in the case of $64.5 million award, compensation was awarded in areas not covered by the Act. The source also explained that there were some persons who were seeking compensation from the Government although their business was covered by insurance.
However, while it could not be ascertained how many cases are outstanding, it is understood that three cases were recommended for a "goodwill" payment.
The Riot Compensation Authority in each parish is chaired by a Resident Magistrate.
