While guests sipped on champagne and wine on the inside, close to 25 protesters gathered on the outside in protest during the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Thursday morning.
The construction of the ultra modern seaside hotel was largely funded by taxpayers dollars to the tune of over US$52 Million. The National Assembly had called for more information about some of the private investors in the project.
The Opposition parties have labelled the hotel as one which was birthed out of corruption and which lacked accountability and transparency.
As President Donald Ramotar’s envoy made its way into the Kingston hotel, protesters lined the route shouting “three more weeks”, as they referenced the upcoming elections.
Close to two dozen police officers had assembled at all the entry points leading to the hotel and attempted to prevent demonstrators from getting close to the hotel.
The protesters made it pass the barriers and that forced the hotel to close its gate while the invitees continued to mingle and look on at the protest.
Once inside, President Ramotar did not acknowledge the protesters as he raised his glass of wine in toast to the new hotel, just after he unveiled a plaque and cut the ceremonial ribbon.
The President said he was pleased with the investment and the many opportunities he is convinced, it will create for Guyana. Officials of the Marriott Hotel company indicated that they are pleased to now have the Marriott brand grace the Guyana hotel and they made it clear that the hotel “is here to stay”.
Some of the first guests of the hotel are journalists from a number of Caribbean countries who were flown into Guyana by the government to cover the hotel’s opening.
In an invited comment, Ronald Bulkan who is a member of the APNU+AFC coalition explained that protestors gathered to express their displeasure and disgust at the state of “financial lawlessness” that exists in Guyana.
Bulkan restated concerns that were raised before. He told News Source that “the State should not invest in luxury facilities and compete with private sector. The state should be investing in infrastructure to take care of peoples’ everyday needs.”
Bulkan said the state’s focus should be on saving the collapsing sugar industry and finding jobs for its citizens.
He said the PPP should use tax payers’ money to build a five-star university and offer proper education to its citizens instead of a hotel that provides little benefit to the average man.
Bulkan was very upset that the police had attempted to prevent him from getting a full view of the hotel.
“Today’s activity by police, denying citizens’ right to view a tax payer funded hotel exposes the hypocrisy and duplicity of the PPP,” Bulkan said.
In spite of the concerns about transparency, the administration has defended the project as being in the best interest of Guyanese and says it fits into its integrated plan for development.
With elections just three weeks away, the People’s Progressive Party is expected to continue showcasing the hotel as part of its legacy and part of its determination to build a modern Guyana, regardless of the concerns of the taxpayers who are doing the funding. (Kurt Campbell)
Filed: 16th April, 2015
You must be logged in to post a comment Login