The Marriott hotel is at a bad site – Engineering expert

Feb 23, 2014 News

While Guyana’s Marriott Hotel may be moving apace in construction, at least one engineer is contending that when one takes certain factors into consideration, “the hotel is certainly not in an ideal location.”

Artist’s impression of the Marriott Hotel

Mr. Philip Allsopp is an engineer who dedicated his life towards understanding the drainage and irrigation network of Guyana. He has developed an understanding of the construction of roads in Guyana, an understanding that is highly respected.
And he is well known for sterling contributions towards Guyana’s development which go beyond infrastructural works.
Apart from being a former Chief Works and Hydraulics Officer, Mr. Allsopp also worked with the United States Department of Public Works.
On the issue of the Marriott Hotel, Allsopp said, “While I wish for my comments not to be misconstrued as though I am trying to start a reform of some sort against the government where this project is concerned, I am of the belief that the location of the hotel is not ideal.
“The hotel may be ahead in construction but it seems as though it is being built and certain things are not being taken into consideration. And I am of course referring to Climate Change and coastal erosion.
“If in one breath we consider the tidal attacks on the sea defences, then I would say that the hotel is in a most vulnerable position. It is fully exposed to that. In fact, it should not be there at all. It would certainly get the brunt of the attack.
“In addition, the Kingston area in which it is situated is very prone to flooding and drainage issues. How logical is it for one to construct a hotel which is expected to propel the tourism industry to a higher level and we have not taken the drainage issues into consideration?
“When will that be looked at? Considering last month’s episode, which saw the area being flooded that indicates that it is not being taken into account.”

Winston Brassington, Head of NICIL

Supporting Allsopp’s opinion from an environmental point of view was Joseph Harmon of the A Partnership for National Unity. Harmon is the Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications.
The Member of Parliament, in an invited comment said, “I completely agree with the position Allsopp holds. Everything that he is speaking to is a reality. And I am sure that the Champion of the Earth, (former President) Bharrat Jagdeo can appreciate Allsopp’s concerns as he too has travelled far and wide talking about the effects of Climate change.
“When private investors want to take their money and do what they please with it then that is a problem for them but when it involves state funds then it must undergo a high level of scrutiny.
“Kingston has always been a problematic area and the people deeply involved in the Marriott Hotel scheme have never put forward a proper environmental study with regard to this project.
When they did put it forward it was during a debate over the project and it was just in bits and pieces. I agree with the environmental concerns of Mr. Allsopp not only as a citizen of Guyana but most importantly as a respected engineering specialist.”
When this publication made efforts to contact Mr. Winston Brassington, head of the Privatization Unit—NICIL— via a telephone call yesterday to comment on the concerns, he said, “I am peeved that you would be calling on a Saturday morning for me to respond to a comment that came out of some interview you had with some engineer.
“I do believe that the Marriott Hotel is well placed and I would advise that you send me an email with the background information along with your question and I will consult with my lawyers before I answer your questions.
“I trust that in the mean time you will handle this matter in a most professional manner as some aspects of what you are talking about are before the courts.”
Nevertheless, the Marriott Hotel which is estimated at US$51M is expected to be completed in August.