Luncheon defends GRA deal for NIS building but admits rent error

CLICO building

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon yesterday defended the financing by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of the upgrade of the hitherto unused multi-storeyed building on Camp Street, saying that the National Insurance Scheme – the current owner – cannot be saddled with the cost of customising that edifice for occupancy.

He was speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Office of the President about a deal that some have likened to helping the troubled NIS using taxpayers’ money from the GRA.

Dr. Luncheon said he erred in announcing that the rental by the GRA of the former CLICO building which