Mayor moves to block CH&PA’s approval of Qatari hotel construction

May 29, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- City Mayor, Alfred Mentore has written to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to formally register the City Council’s “strongest objections” to the construction of seafront hotel at the controversial property located on Thomas Lands and Carifesta Avenue.

The land was leased by the Government of Guyana to Qatari investors to construct a US$300M hotel. The property has since been at the center of a dispute between the City Council and Central Government. Mentore told Kaieteur News that the construction of the hotel on the land came up for discussion last Thursday at the statutory meeting of the CH&PA.

Mayor moves to block CH&PA’s approval of Qatari hotel construction

City Mayor, Alfred Mentore

He explained that the CH&PA is seeking to approve and fast track the construction of the hotel on the land which is still in dispute. “As Mayor of Georgetown I am the City Council’s representative at the level of the CH&PA. So, I raised my objections with the board about the use of that property,” he said.

He noted that a letter outlining his objections was also sent to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority. The letter was copied and sent to the Minister of Housing and Water, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, the Town Clerk and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In the letter, the Mayor outlined the Council’s objection to the sale and proposed development of the lands by the Qatari groups of company (Tropics Guyana Inc.) due to the contention involving the ownership of the land.

According to the Mayor, the Council is in possession of a document to prove that the land was transferred to the Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown in 1887 by Quintin Hogg.

That document outlined that “Hogg conveyed a portion of land known as Non Pareil Park (15 acres), along with two additional parcels labeled A and B (18 and 10 acres, respectively), to the municipality via Transport Number 337 of 1887.” As such, the Mayor said that the act of sale of the land by Central Government is in total violation of the Hogg’s Family Deed and Public Trust. In the letter Mentore said. “We are compelled to state unequivocally that the M&CC does not recognise any lease or other document the Government now purports to hold over these lands.”

He noted too that: “These lands remain the property of the City of Georgetown, and any attempt to alienate, lease, or develop them without meaningful consultation with and consent from the City Council is not only irregular but also disrespectful of local governance processes and legal norms.” The Mayor stressed too that the Council is troubled by the apparent, lack of appropriate and expected ethics in the approach of the government on this issue.

He noted that “Ethical governance demands respecting the autonomy of local governments in managing local resources. The central government should only intervene when local capacity is insufficient or consultation is held with the M&.CC, as the local government authority and all stakeholders including the government of Guyana and investors.”

Mentore emphasised that the land being originally approved by the Hogg’s family specifically dedicated it for recreational use; hence any change of use for private purposes must have a ruling of the high court to effect such a change. The Mayor stated. “That must have been a consideration and an objection of the CHPA. We trust that CH&PA will act responsibly and in accordance with the law, and will engage the City Council without further delay.”

He continued “We remain open to constructive dialogue but will not hesitate to pursue all available avenues—legal and otherwise-to protect the rights, assets, and interests of the City of Georgetown and its residents.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News