President Donald Ramotar used the private jet service of alleged smuggler Khamraj Lall on three occasions for state visits, the government admitted yesterday, while saying that payments were made each time for the charter.
The government’s disclosure came amidst questions about the head of state’s use of the jet on which Lall was held last week in Puerto Rico with over US$620,000 hidden away.
Questions have been raised about the propriety of the President’s charter since the trip would have been illegal given that Lall’s Exec Jet Club service is registered as a Private Jet Club and not for charter. The administration’s admission yesterday that President Ramotar has used the service for travel to neighbouring Brazil and two other destinations and paid for the charter reiterated the impropriety. “The company’s services were procured on three occasions by the Government of Guyana for transporting delegations led by President Donald Ramotar to official State business overseas,”
