Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Corruption, misuse of state resources will continue in a Ramotar administration – Badal
It is more than clear that another term by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would see the culture of systemic corruption continue. This is according to hotelier, Robert Badal, who says the misuse of taxpayers’ resources could only escalate based on what is playing out now with Government.
Robert Badal
The Pegasus Hotel owner has been especially vocal in recent times over the manner in which public funds are being expended.
“As the Government prepares to open its Marriott Hotel this week, massive amounts of money are being spent in trucking sand to fill up the seawall outside the hotel. Yet in his usual style, the President (Donald Ramotar) refuses to disclose to the electorate the amount of our money spent to date on capital works and the total ýamount being spent per month to cover salaries, electricity, security and other operating cost.”
The iconic Pegasus Hotel is located right next to the controversial Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
Badal has been objecting to disclosures that Government has been spending taxpayers’ monies to compete directly with other local hotels. Recent revelations show more than US$35M was spent by Government, without the authorization of the National Assembly to build the hotel with intentions to transfer the majority of shares to a private equity investor at a later date.
“In his party’s manifesto, the President disclosed that the Specialty Hospital and Amaila Falls hydro power would be done. Both these projects have been vehicles for massive fraud and corruption,” the businessman insisted.
“The Amaila Falls hydro project is not the best option for cheaper electricity. In fact, it would result in higher electricity rates given its cost and financing configuration and increase our national debt.ý More effective and cheaper options include proposals by Brazilian investors for the Mazaruni Hydro and LNG fuel or power purchase from Trinidad.”
Badal noted that there is no Amaila Falls in Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua oýr little St Kitts, yet there are no blackouts in those countries.
“The Specialty Hýospital has been a source of controversy and heavy kickbacks involving Ministers of the Government both in the selection of the contractor and the execution of this abandoned project. The question one must ask Mr Ramotar is why spend US$20M of taxpayers’ money when, if feasible, private sector investment would be more effective? In any case, the PPP administration has displayed its incompetence as far as managing our health care system is concerned.”
The 197-room, US$58M Marriot Hotel is set to open within days without a major component- the entertainment complex- still incomplete. The complex includes a casino.
The Opposition has complained over the murky details of the Marriott Hotel transactions with a court case effectively stopping financing from a number of the private investors.
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