Jagdeo never lobbied government for any contract - President Ramotar

Jagdeo never lobbied government for any contract – President Ramotar

Jul 28, 2014 News

By Latoya Giles

Head of State, President Donald Ramotar, has denied that his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo, has been secretly lobbying government for projects which he may be directly involved in.

At a press conference on Saturday at State House, Ramotar said he has no knowledge about Jagdeo lobbying for investment.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about…but any patriotic Guyanese, whether it’s a former president or even a journalist, would want to bring investment to Guyana,” the president told reporters.

According to Ramotar, he sees no conflict of interest by Jagdeo being present at the recent opening of the US$54M Sun and Sands five-star luxury Hotel and Casino at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. The hotel is being constructed by Sun and Sands group of India. The former President was present at the sod turning ceremony.

Ramotar was adamant that he is not one who favours “lobbying or a lobbyist,” so for the former President to approach him would be wrong.

“He has never asked me to give any one a contract and neither has any minister too….they dare not,” the President said.

On Wednesday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said he had no knowledge of Jagdeo lobbying Government on behalf of the “Sun and Sand Group of Companies”.

According to Luncheon, he knows that “all Guyanese” who are interested in the development of the country have an interest in bringing business into the country. He had stated that all of the people who have been associated with the government have seized these opportunities while travelling.

“They would say come to Guyana and invest, that’s what we have established throughout the years,” Luncheon told media operatives.

“I cannot put my finger and say that the former President has been lobbying for any company,” Luncheon said.

Construction on the163-room hotel is expected to be completed in approximately 18 months.

The group also has an interest in investing in Guyana’s mining, housing and shipping sectors too. In India, the group is involved in several areas, including hotel properties, service apartments, real estate and townships.

The construction of the Sun and Sands Hotel will include many modern conveniences and amenities including a casino and restaurants.

When completed, the 290,000 square-foot hotel will also house a commercial block and club house of approximately 45,000 sq. ft. which is being touted to provide direct benefits to Guyanese through the provision of several hundred jobs.

Director of Sun and Sands Group of Companies, Bhushan Chandna, had explained that employees will benefit from training to provide high level services in the hospitality industry.