Opposition upbraids gov’t over Qatari hotel deal
-says ownership of land in dispute
A statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition yesterday blasted the government over the proposed hotel for a Qatari group on Carifesta Avenue contending that it lacked transparency and the land in question is in dispute.
It said that the Qatari Hotel deal is the subject of a legitimate dispute between the government and the Georgetown City Council regarding ownership of the land. Outside of the ownership dispute, the opposition APNU+AFC said that legitimate concerns have also been voiced about the best use of the land, in addition to what it said was the questionable government practice of covertly handpicking developers.
“The situation as it stands is bad for the political and business climate of the country. Not only have Central government and Georgetown municipality relations worsened, but the country’s image as an investment destination suffers when good governance is undermined…”, the statement said.
The opposition said if it were in government it would have approached the development of such lands differently.
“We would have produced a multi-stakeholder land use plan through public consultations. We would have worked closely with the city administration to achieve a shared understanding. We would have invited open bids (not secret handpicking) for any development in the area. We would have made all fiscal terms and contracts publicly available”, it said.
On February 18, with little advance notice, the sod was turned by the government and the Qatari Assets Group for a US$300 million resort and convention centre, at Carifesta Avenue.
It is intended to occupy the NIS and GNS grounds and there are reports that other lands along Carifesta Avenue are being eyed. The Carifesta Avenue lands were said to have been gifted to the city by the family of Quintin Hogg in 1887. The city has asserted its ownership but the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has claimed that the lands are under the authority of the government. At a meeting this week the city insisted that the land are under its control and an engagement is being sought with President Irfaan Ali on the matter.