Dear Editor,
I write in respect to the two multi-storied buildings being constructed in Church Street, Georgetown between Albert Street and Oronoque Street. I understand that they are being constructed by the owner(s) of the Sleep Inn Hotels and from the exterior a massive amount of money is being spent.
My further information is that a casino is to be opened in one of the buildings and I would not have believed that permission was granted for such a purpose. I am completely opposed to the opening of a casino in that residential area, as going east it is four buildings from the Seventh Day Adventists Church and about two hundred yards from the Queenstown Mosque. The Mall between Church Street and North Road in that area is being converted to a family area with emphasis on young children having a playing area. A casino will indeed be a bad example for our young children. I can foresee a parking nightmare and a great deal of inconvenience to the residents of that neighbourhood.
I cannot comprehend how a licence could be granted for a casino to be opened in this area and more so, how the commission for the licensing of casinos could have granted permission. Did they not see the two long-established religious buildings there? Were they blind to the fact that that this was a residential area? This will change the face of Church Street and Georgetown. It is shameful and those persons appointed for the licensing commission should resign in disgrace and if they do not, then they should be removed.
I spoke to Imam Shaheed Mohamed who is the leader of the Queenstown Mosque and he was completely unaware that a casino is to be set up there. He understood that it is to be a hotel and he was dumbstruck as to what is planned there. No notice was sent to the mosque nor were they asked for their opinion. I asked myself whether the close connections with the former members of the government and those responsible for granting the licence may have played a part. I am calling on all Guyanese and the Government of Guyana to look into this matter urgently and stop this tragedy from occurring, as history will not be forgiving for inaction.
Yours faithfully,
K A Juman-Yassin
