Dear Editor,
In light of information coming to light on the ‘land grab’ that has accelerated since 21st December 2018, I feel compelled to share my personal experience with the process of land acquisition.
My quest began in 2013, six years ago. Following the success generated by the E-Networks Baseball Star programme, I wrote GuySuCo’s CEO Mr. Paul Bhim (11.3.2013) asking for consideration in the sale of a plot of land suitable for a baseball facility. I was referred to the Guyana Office for Investment as the proper channel for application. I spent two years providing Go-Invest with detailed business plans, feasibility studies, supporting documentation of various types and results of our pilot programmes. The proposed multi-sport facility encompassed baseball and ten other sports which indicated interest via their National Governing Bodies. In December 2014 Baseball Guyana got our approval and Go-Invest wrote GuySuCo directly and attached a satellite photograph of a plot of land suitable to the first phase (of 3) of development.
There were many negotiations with GuySuCo, offers, counter offers and finally an offer was made to us for the plot identified by Go-Invest at $25 Million GYD per acre, we accepted the offer as fair market value and asked for time to raise the required $522 Million GYD. It took two years of explaining our unique circumstance to benefactors in the baseball world that we needed funding to purchase land. Unique, because in those countries, projects such as ours would have states and counties competing to offer land and tax breaks to attract such a facility.
In May 2019, I wrote to GuySuCo in my capacity as CEO to inform that Guyana Baseball had acquired the funds for purchase as promised and we could make a payment in full if needed at any time. The land committee of GuySuCo met and affirmed our agreement. What followed must rankle even the most jaded of observers, NICIL was informed of our pending sale and issued a ‘Cease and desist” letter to GuySuCo on 5th June 2019, on which I was copied.
Upon the advice of our lawyers I replied and provided the extensive paper trail to support our application and agreement for purchase of this 20.9-acre plot of land. I have to date received no official reply. Imagine my surprise to learn via a social media post that the plot of land identified in 2014, is opposite the ExxonMobil Headquarters and has been surreptitiously offered to various individuals by NICIL.
That NICIL could even contemplate sale to ‘Johnny-come-lately’ individuals, with no regard for the arduous process that is required to ensure the state benefits fully from disposal of assets, not only monetarily, but in the benefits of our project, which include opportunities for youth; jobs; education and tourism revenue along with intangibles such as the positive self-image that would come when (not if) we develop our first major league stars.
Editor, I am cognizant of my rights as a citizen of Guyana; my passion for ethical and honest behaviour in life, both public and private is well known. I do not intend to fail the youth of the nation. The Guyana Baseball League has moved to the law courts of Guyana to seek redress for this grave injustice to ourselves and the youth of our nation.
Yours faithfully,
Robin Singh
