David Lammy ‘ran away’ from net zero project that collapsed into chaos

Key Concepts

• Stoll Estate: A historic, large-scale coconut farm in the Amazon region of Guyana.
• Pomeroon Trading: The British-owned company that leased the Stoll Estate in 2017 with the stated goal of revitalizing its production.
• David Lammy: Current UK Deputy Prime Minister who served as an unpaid advisor to Pomeroon Trading and publicly championed the project.
• Lease Dispute: A legal conflict involving allegations of unpaid rent, property deterioration, and contested land ownership rights.

The Stoll Estate Revitalization Project

In 2018, a British business venture, Pomeroon Trading, announced an ambitious plan to restore the Stoll Estate—historically one of Guyana’s most significant coconut producers—to its former status. The project was framed as a major economic development initiative, with David Lammy publicly endorsing the venture. Lammy, who visited the estate in 2018, argued that the project would play a pivotal role in transforming Guyana into the "breadbasket of the Caribbean." To demonstrate his commitment, Lammy served as an unpaid advisor to the company.

Allegations and Legal Conflict

The project has since devolved into a bitter legal battle currently before the Guyana High Court. Zeena Stoll, the 91-year-old owner who leased the land to Pomeroon Trading in 2017, has brought a lawsuit against the company. Her primary claims include:

• Financial Breach: Failure to pay agreed-upon rent.
• Property Neglect: Allowing the historic estate to fall into a state of severe disrepair.
• Personal Distress: Stoll reports significant emotional trauma resulting from the situation, necessitating professional counseling.

Pomeroon Trading has formally denied these allegations. Furthermore, the company has filed a counterclaim, asserting that Zeena Stoll lacked the legal authority to lease the property in the first place, thereby alleging a breach of the original lease agreement.

David Lammy’s Involvement and Criticism

While David Lammy is not a named party in the legal proceedings, he has faced direct criticism from Zeena Stoll. Despite having provided his personal phone number to Stoll during their 2018 meeting, Stoll claims that her attempts to contact him regarding the state of the farm—including sending notes to him at the Marriott in Georgetown—were ignored.

Stoll expressed deep disappointment in Lammy’s lack of response, suggesting that his silence stems from embarrassment regarding the project's failure. She stated, "I’m disappointed in you, um, my minister... and perhaps one day you’ll try to get in touch with me and apologize."

Conclusion

The situation at the Stoll Estate represents a significant gap between the initial developmental promises made by Pomeroon Trading and the current reality of the property. What was once envisioned as a flagship project for Guyanese agricultural growth has resulted in a stalled operation, a 91-year-old landowner in distress, and a complex legal dispute that remains unresolved in the Guyanese court system. The involvement of a high-profile political figure like David Lammy has added a layer of public scrutiny to the project's failure, highlighting the risks associated with political endorsements of private commercial ventures.