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Bombshell: Primrose Does Not Own Parcel 4670
posted (February 6, 2019)
So, with the Department of the Environment out of the way - for now at least - Zabaneh and Primrose Gabourel's attorney seemed to suggest that his clients will continue to fill parcel 4670. The 1.35 acre lot is already about 80% filled, which represents tens of thousands of dollars in material.

But, the bombshell tonight is that it may have all been filled in vain! Why? Because the Ministry of Natural Resources says that Primrose Gabourel does not own the land, it was acquired for a public purpose 12 years ago.

This is a follow up to what we first reported 10 days ago when we saw a copy of an entry in the February 2007, Government Gazette which says that the land had been acquired for a public purpose.

Today, CEO in the Ministry of Natural Resources Kerry Belisle said that as early as 2006, the ministry placed a caution on the property - with the intention of withdrawing the title. He adds that late in 2006, there was a first publication of acquisition, and in early 2007 there was a second publication of the acquisition notice.

Belisle says, quote, "at that time - the ownership rights of Primrose Gabourel ceased." So, bottom line? Primrose Gabourel no longer owns that parcel and the title has been withdrawn.

But, she has not been compensated and Belisle said, quote, "now it is a matter for us to meet with the parties and come to terms - in the normal course."

Much easier said than done - and this one will likely end up back in the courts. Belisle told us, quote, "the parties appear to not have known" it was acquired. And, in fact, we have seen a letter from the Ministry to Primrose Gabourel in 2015, asking her to come in and rectify her title - the same title which the ministry had withdrawn a decade earlier. So…confusion abounds.

But, for the time being, Gabourel's son Dion Zabaneh has been filling property which she does not own - according to the Ministry.

The public purpose for which it was acquired in 2007 indicated protection and preservation of the environment. The property as we have noted is on the seabed. Zabaneh says it is a reclamation.

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