| – Brassington’s “unrestricted” powers “unthinkable” – Chris RamChristopher RamThere is no evidence that the Chinese contractor involved in the Marriott Hotel project is incorporated or registered as an external company in Guyana as is required.Writing in his weekly column in the Stabroek News on Sunday, columnist Christopher Ram also expressed alarm over revelations that one government official had unrestricted powers to spend billions of dollars in the project which has been generating more and more controversy. Ram has, overtime, questioned Government on a number of Government projects, in his columns and comments.The columnist, also an accountant and lawyer, said that from all indications, there is no evidence that Winston Brassington,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL),Wholesale Cheap Jerseys, even agreed to waive the mandatory statutory duty of having SCG registered.The opposition and critics have been punching holes in the contract and feasibility of the US$51M deal which is under construction in Kingston, next door to the Pegasus Hotel, questioning the real intentions behind the project. Ram wondered how Government went ahead allowing Brassington alone to take responsibility for billions of taxpayers’ dollars.“It is almost unthinkable that a single individual who in law has no obligation but to the company (NICIL) would be allowed such vast and unrestricted powers over expenditure exceeding ten billion dollars.”NICIL, a government-owned company which handles investments for the government,Cheap NFL Jerseys, has created a local subsidiary, Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI),Cheap Jerseys From China, which is the parent company for the Marriott Hotel. Ram noted that at all times,Jerseys NFL Wholesale China, Brassingston operated as the shareholder representative, Chairman, sole director and Chief Executive Officer of AHI.“In addition, these and other documents which I have seen, indicate that Mr Brassington was the point man for negotiations with the contractor as well as Government agencies.Dr. Roger LuncheonWhat is not unthinkable and indeed was foreseeable is the ‘shamateurishness’ of the negotiated documents and the potential implications for the Guyanese taxpayers who bear the full cost of the investment and any potential losses.”Citing the US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory, Ram said that with its large and powerful board and with inputs from Booker Tate, GuySuCo could not prevent a “lopsided contract” with a Chinese contractor in a matter in which the balance of expertise resided in Guyana.“Sadly, the taxpayers continue to suffer the consequences of that mistake. And yet, even before that mistake is rectified … we are…repeating it.” Recently, amidst disclosures that there were no locals being employed in the construction of Marriott Hotel, there were angry protests by Opposition parties, activists and others at the Kingston worksite.Brassington, whose role in a number of other investments and numerous privatizations deals is under scrutiny, explained that the Chinese contractor resorted to foreign workers because of the absence of skills and language barriers. He also disclosed that it was part of the contract agreed to with the contractor…a statement that drew widespread anger.Last week, in startling statements, Government said that it has no intention to hold on to the Marriott Hotel once it is completed. Rather, it will be released to the investors.At first, Government said it was a public/private partnership (PPP) initiative.The National Assembly,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, controlled by the Opposition, has not given its blessings for the project as taxpayers’ dollars being used are controlled by NICIL. In late 2011, former President Bharrat Jagdeo officially turned the sod for the construction of the hotel with the promise, that the project will create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase, and beyond when it becomes operational.The 197-room hotel and entertainment complex is expected to be completed by February 2014. Local hoteliers have over the years been reporting that there are too many hotel rooms. A number of hotels built for Cricket World Cup in 2007 have since been sold or have been turned over to new management, including Buddy’s Hotel (now Princess Hotel and Casino) in Providence, East Bank Demerara. |
