The Sheriff Group of Companies will soon commence construction of a three-storey building at Palmyra, Region Six, to house the headquarters for Sheriff Security in the ancient county where they already have some 100 persons on payroll.
The building will also provide a business centre for companies wishing to open operations in the region.
Ameir Ahmad, one of the directors of the company, explained that they have employed over 100 persons in the region under Sheriff Security as they offer security to GTT locations presently. However, he noted, that they are expecting other contracts within the region. As such, he said, they thought it necessary to invest in the infrastructure within the region to house their staff.
According to him, while the building will be three-storey, Sheriff Security will only occupy one storey. He said that the two others will be used as a business centre for companies which wish to rent, explaining that they will be building turn-key offices to accommodate renters.
“We will have furniture and everything in the offices, so it’s basically turnkey offices” for rental, he said. He added, “Rental for businesses, corporate companies, a turnkey operation… People want to come and start hiring and need offices, they can rent and occupy.” The headquarters and business centre will be constructed on one acre of land at the location at an estimated cost of $400m. He stressed, that the infrastructure will have a modern concept.
Helicopter
Meanwhile, Ahmad’s company has since acquired the first Bell 505 helicopter for private use in Guyana at the cost of US$1.9m from the Bell Helicopter Factory in Texas, United States.
According to Ahmad, it was a lengthy nine-month process to acquire all the necessary licensing and approvals, nevertheless, the helicopter will arrive in less than two months and is expected to massively boost the company’s operations. The Sheriff Group of Companies is also constructing a Specialty Hospital at Palmyra, Region Six, and Ahmad yesterday said that having a helicopter will assist in their commute to check on operations in Berbice and around the country.
He stated that they are very excited about the new purchase as well as their massive investment in Berbice. Stressing that “time is money”, Ahmad said that they are looking forward to adding the chopper to their operations.
Risky
Questioned about the financing of projects, Ahmad said that the company is making investments from both profits earned and assistance from banking institutions. “We are engaging the banks and our profits. Our investments are so large. We’re also taking a big risk in Berbice, using our finances, and loans.” Ahmad then stressed that while putting their profits on the line and taking massive loans is a huge risk, the company is willing to undertake the same, as they see the development which is taking place. “Berbice is going to be a financial hub, a very busy place, and an active area. A lot of businesses are going to move to Berbice, actually they will have to move to keep up.”
A confident Ahmad said, “We’re taking a big risk, a huge financial risk but we know it is going to pay.” Last month, the Sheriff Group had a soft launch for its US multi-million dollar hospital at Leonora and Ahmad yesterday pointed out that building at the location was also a risk but that they saw the need for such an investment there and went ahead, as such they are doing the same within the Palmyra, Region Six area.
He then encouraged businesses to look at investing in Berbice and take an opportunity at the “first jump.”
