Though some top-tier jobs will not be immediately available to Guyanese, there will be ample employment opportunities for locals during the construction and operational phases for the Hyatt-branded hotel, Chairman of SIR Investment Guyana Imtiaz Ahamad yesterday said.
Ahamad’s company yesterday turned the sod for the construction of the US$32.2m property at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Speaking with Stabroek News on the sidelines of the event, Ahamad said that his company is committed to supporting all aspects of local content during the developmental and operational stages of the project.
The Chairman clarified that for positions in the realm of the General Manager and possibly Head of Operations they will require individuals who possess the skills and ability to run an effective operation parallel to existing Hyatt operations.
“From another perspective some other jobs like the position of the General Manager for a new hotel at Hyatt Hotel, one will expect the operator to leverage someone that is well trained and experienced to function in the position,” he explained.
Touching specifically on employment opportunities for locals, he said that they are prepared to train and promote Guyanese in key positions for the effective management and delivery of services.
“We have a plan for a high percentage of local content. I think you will expect and your readers will expect that some of the positions at the hotel cannot be filled by Guyanese, so the idea is for training and transfer of knowledge and then of course promotion. It is a process that takes some time,” he said.
A high percentage of the construction workers, he underscored, will be skill-ed workers from Guyana.
It is estimated that during the construction phase over 300 workers will be required for the project which is likely to last about 20 months. In the start-up of the hotel operations, close to 100 persons will be needed for full-time positions.
The announcement of the project on Tuesday by the company stated that the project will create significant local content by em-ploying Guyanese nationals. During construction – 250 to 300 persons will be employed, 95% of whom are expected to be Guya-nese nationals.
Post construction will see permanent jobs with several part-time roles and jobs, 90% of whom are expected to be Guyanese nationals.
“…without a doubt, and you can remember I said this today, without a doubt, there will be opportunities for local partnerships, partnerships which will result in huge dividends for the country and for the people of Guyana,” Ahamad stated in his address.
The construction of the hotel will not only serve to provide accommodation to persons on business but create the facilities requir-ed for Guyana’s tourism market.
Magnitude
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said government will continue to support investments of this magnitude
“In these few short months we have facilitated a quantum of construction close to 370 high-end hotel rooms in our country. This represents 18.3% of our overall five-year target of having 2000 high-quality rooms. We assure you the people more is yet to come…,” she posited.
Since taking government, she said they have been able to attract investments in the hospitality sector. Walrond said investments of this type not only add to the creation of jobs but also provide a channel for sustainable livelihoods.
The 125-room, 4-star hotel, its developers say is expected to become operational by 2024 targeting the needs of “Guyana’s middle to upper class corporate clientele and value-conscious business and leisure travelers”.
Amenities will include different guest rooms options, disability outfitted rooms, restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, social lounge, fitness centre, pools, internet and communication links, room service and guest laundry and spacious parking spaces.
Ahamad told this newspaper that once permits are granted in a timely manner by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), they are looking to begin construction within the next six months.
The company has already received the prototype from Hyatt hotels but they will have to tweak it to fit the rectangular piece of land and then obtain the necessary approvals from CH&PA.
A main contractor is still to be identified, he explain-ed and noted that the project manager will soon conclude that process
“The franchise agreement is executed, the project manager is appointed, architectural and other services are confirmed and appointed and the financing has been arranged. As I said before we are ready to go,” he disclosed.
According to Ahamad, his company’s decision to enter Guyana is one that they had been looking at for some time. He explain-ed to Stabroek News that while they wanted to enter the market they were looking to do so with their signature automobile business. However, at the same time they were lured to the market by government’s call for construction of hotels and sought to cash in.
“We have been involved in the automobile business for 70 odd years, we command a strong market presence [in Trinidad]. Obviously we cannot sit back, we needed to further diversify and look for opportunities after feasibility and analysis…late last year Go-Invest had a Request for Expression of Interest and we picked it up and we ran with it,” he said before pointing out that within months they were able to arrive at a deal and acquire a suitable location.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh said the construction of the hotel is further testament to the growing needs of Guyana and its economy. In the same breath, Singh said his government is committed to supporting new developments that foster economic growth.
He added that the hotel when it becomes operational will add to the development of the East Bank corridor and pointed out that government has been investing heavily in infrastructure to facilitate development at all stages.
Yesterday’s sod turning saw the attendance of Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame Mc Koy, G-Invest Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop and officials of SIR Investments.
Universal Investments Limited is owned by the Ahamad family and is an investment holding company with subsidiaries in the automotive, financial and real estate sectors in Trinidad, the release from the company said. UIL’s main operating subsidiaries are Southern Sales & Service Company Limited which is the local dealer for the Audi, Kia, Mazda and Isuzu Brands, and Caribbean Finance Company Limited, a prominent finance company in Trinidad. Via investments in Guardian Holdings Ltd and Agostini’s Limited the Company also has a presence in the insurance, retail and pharmaceutical sectors in Trinidad, the release said.
In October this year, Stabroek News had reported that a Vice President of Hyatt Hotels was in Guyana weeks earlier and had approved the proposal for operations here.
Hyatt Hotels is among the top franchise-branded chains preparing to set up operations here.
