Is the present government paying attention to the Marriott hotel?

Dear Editor,

I hope that the present administration is pursuing all aspects of this enigma – the Marriott Hotel.

First, the Jagdeo-Brassington duo took over the Luckhoo Swimming Pool complex and paid not one cent to its owner, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. Guyana’s Eddy Grant offer to construct a cultural facility was being considered by the M&CC, but then President Jagdeo said they were looking at something bigger.

Second, we were told that the entire project was funded by some group from China, and this was one reason advanced to justify the one hundred per cent use of Chinese labour and materials to construct this hotel. (There were several protests).

Third, this turns out to be a misrepresentation – the money spent was from Guyana.

Fourthly, who determined and recruited the managerial staff and the General Manager? Charity begins at home, so is Mr Brassington saying there is no Guyanese, no Caribbean person to fill this important position? What is his salary? Is it another super salary?

Fifth, we are told that the hotel is always full; it could not help during our flood crisis, but we hear that they operated at a loss.

Sixth, I have visited Marriots in other parts of the world. I have stayed at the Marriott, South Korea. The Guyana Marriott is the cheapest I’ve seen. Look at what goes for carpets; the rails along the stairs are of inferior, hollow material.

The stairways should be condemned; the colour is off white and the area is of similar colour – no contrast on the edge of the stairs making it a hazard to the elderly and those with even a slight vision problem – but where were the Health and Safety people? Who gave approval? Did President Ramotar notice anything when he opened it with fanfare just before the election?

But what is the present administration doing about this mighty rip-off? If they are losing money, this abomination should be closed until it is feasible, with local management and with the authorities, now released from PPP control, visiting and doing their work without fear or favour.

Guyana must get its money’s worth from this venture which didn’t help to develop skills because all the labour came from China.

Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP