Latest update May 2nd, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 14, 2015 News
Government is set to open its multi-billion-dollar Marriott Hotel on Thursday
in a glitzy affair, but the Opposition has signaled intentions to protest in front of the facility to greet President Donald Ramotar when he arrives.
According to Ronald Bulkan, a senior Opposition and a Member of Parliament in the last Parliament, he has been invited but has no intention of attending.
“I will be outside to greet the President. We will have people there. You cannot spend the people’s money without their permission and without accountability, and expect them to standby silently.”
Bulkan wrote a letter which was published yesterday in Kaieteur News.
Yesterday, too, President Donald Ramotar toured the 197-room hotel ahead of the opening, sampling some of the food and meeting staff members.
The hotel opening, being pushed by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic as its big project before the May 11 elections, has been marred by controversy over details of the financing.
Bulkan made it clear that he agrees with his colleague, Joseph Harmon, who described
this structure as an “edifice of contempt” for the Guyanese people.
The former MP, who is a candidate for A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) , said that he has also taken note of accountant, Christopher Ram, who suggested that while ‘financial treason’ might not yet be a crime, Winston Brassington; Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and other Government officials who are responsible for this “lawless” undertaking, should be tried for it. Brassington is heading the special company that is overlooking the hotel’s construction and running.
Government has spent more than US$35M and acquired another US$15M from Republic Bank, all without the approval of the National Assembly. There has also been questions about the financial arrangements in which Government wants to controversially give an investor 67 percent control of the hotel for a mere US$8M. This is after Government/taxpayers would have spent the bulk of the money.
Government has been footing the costs for over 200 staff members it has hired as well as other critical overheads.
The Kingston hotel, set to cost Guyana at least US$58M when fully completed, is opening without its casino, restaurant and entertainment centre which will be managed by Marriott.
The casino is said to be money earner of the hotel.
There is an ongoing court case blocking Government from mortgaging the hotel and which has held up financing from private investors.
THEM PIMPING OUT GUYANA.
May 02, 2024
SportsMax – In a dazzling display of power hitting, Johnson Charles led the charge for West Indies A with a spectacular unbeaten 119 from just 61 balls, guiding his team to a commanding 76-run...Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has developed a penchant for heavily daubing his presentations – addresses... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]