Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Giftland has concerns about duties and the other company
Dear Editor,
First off let me correct Mr. Dereck Chin. The Government did not build my road. We took a dam and built it into what it is now at a cost of over $400 million of our own money. The construction included sidewalk, drainage, and street lighting along with bus shed.
Our Government was kind enough to apply a thin asphalt top on our finished road. Mr. Eddie Boyer, whose housing development fought and won the rights to make full use of our roadway access, instead of developing his own, knows better and should have advised him so.
Also for Mr. Chin’s Information, roads, sewerage, fiber optic cables, sanitation and all amenities have been paid for and to date are being maintained by Giftland. We are not harassing the Government for services that would put a strain on our already overtaxed infrastructure.
Mr. Chin as an overseas-based Guyanese, should be cognizant of these facts.
Recent disclosures have raised many questions which would be enlightening to know.
(a) GRA has stated that there is a breach of contract by a foreign company. There has been misuse of the concessions and duty free equipment to supply these to Movie Towne. Isn’t this fraud on the Government?
(b) If concessions were granted for the airport then, how can the materials and equipment end up at Movie Towne? it is in the Public interest to have a detailed list of these and what fines are being charged for this attempt to rob the country of revenue, knowing that this act was illegal.
(c) Was Movie Towne also complicit in this arrangement, a thorough investigation by the C.I.D is required here to determine intent?
Mr. Statia mentions that equipment that was used illegally on MT would be paid for later after MT opens. Can Mr. Statia share with us how this will be done?
Having paid all my duty and VAT upfront and now finding that there was fraud to supply MT, I would be very interested to know what fines are being levied. It now stands that MT is getting credit on duties and VAT which we paid up front.
Mr. Statia mentions that “equipment“ was used by the foreign company on the MT project. He does not mention materials.
Having paid hefty duties and VAT on all my imports not related to the Cinema component, I would be grateful for the proof that cement, steel, escalators, elevators, glass, shop fronts, doors, washroom , electrical, plumbing and all other items which we paid duty for, including our generation sets, were equally duty paid by this foreign construction company and MT.
It appears that the foreign company worked at that time period with inbuilt duty free, it would be reasonable to surmise that this would have applied to these other items as well, having shown that they had already done this with “equipment for MT”
The Giftland Group is open to competition of whatever kind as long as the playing field remains level. This is all we are requesting.
With Regards,
Roy Beepat
Chairman
Giftland Group.
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