Universal Church has no right to exclusive parking – City Mayor

Last Updated on Monday, 17 November 2025, 20:38 by Writer

The Brazil-headquartered Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) has not been granted exclusive permission by the Georgetown city council to block anyone from parking outside the church on Charlotte and Wellington streets, Mayor Alfred Mentore said on Monday.

“Let me make it clear. This Council has never given the Universal Church any parking. No parking facility was even ever applied for by Universal Church for them to have reserved parking so it’s very erroneous for the pastor himself to speak so vociferously about the reserved parking and to make it appear as if they have reserved parking from this Council,” he said in a Facebook video post.

Mr Mentore made known City Hall’s position after a representative of the church told a member of the public that “you’re not allowed to park inside of a private zone.” The man retorted: “There is no private zone”. The church representative then erupted in a violent anger, banging the car and demanding that the man “get inside the car” as he challenged the man to reverse the car and touch him. “Go ahead, kick us out, knock us down”.

In the video, a cutlass appeared on the pavement but was quickly removed by someone else who seemed to be associated with the Universal Church. Several women eventually emerged from the church and lent support to their ‘brother’ but the man maintained his ground. The pastor vowed that he and his colleagues would not cease blocking the man’s car and told him that he was free to call the police.

The brawl occurred in full view of the Guyana government’s CCTV camera that is located on the corner of Charlotte and Wellington streets. “Where you are is private property. You are foolish. This is private property? This is public parapet,” the man insisted.

The Mayor said he was “very disappointed” by the pastor’s behaviour.

City workers were on Monday deployed to the church to remove any obstructions to public parking.