…no tangible plans presented
…lands will be repossessed under PPP Govt – Jagdeo
Three days before General and Regional Elections, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) turned the symbolic sod for the sprawling Windsor Estate East Coast Project, Guyana’s newest residential gated community.
Located at former Sugar Plantation Ogle, the 30-acre development is budgeted at US$83M and is expected to feature, in addition to a man-made lake and multiple swimming pools, modern home designs along with a commercial zone to include banks, medical facilities, a shopping area and restaurants.
Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, NICIL officials, and representative of the Navigant Builders Inc turning sod at Ogle, East Coast Demerara
However, while there was talk of plans for the 30-acre property that was once sugar cane fields, no drawings or artist’s impressions were presented for stakeholders or members of the media.
Head of Business Development for the Government’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Rachel Henry, told those present for the simple ceremony that the project director “envisages a mode alive environment”.
The project is being developed by Navigant Builders Inc, whose project director, Mark Fraser, was on-hand in the stead of the Chief Executive Officer, Danny Sawh, who was unavailable.
Providing some background to the project, Fraser related that Navigant Builders Inc had been in negotiations with NICIL for just about two and a half years before being able to conclude an investment arrangement that saw the lands being sold to the real estate developers.
Relaying a prepared statement on behalf of Sawh, the Project Director said that terms under which the project have been inked could cause other developers’ considerable distress but the conditions are actually to the benefit of Guyana.
Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairwoman, Genevieve Allen, lauded the initiative and its spin-off effects not limited to the development and transformation of Plantation Ogle.
She noted that the locale falls under the ambit of the Industry-Plaisance RDC, which would result in more revenue for the entity.
NICIL’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in his address to the small gathering, sought to impress on stakeholders that the entity as Government’s holding body sought to ensure that in the negotiations the best deal possible was had.
It was pointed out that while a good deal of the commodities for the project will be imported, the labour force will be made up of more than 80 per cent Guyanese and that future employment and services will be provided by Guyanese.
Heath-London did use the occasion to announce that Sawh and Navigant Builders Inc have committed a further GY$100M for future charitable works in the country.
Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who was also on-hand for the simple ceremony, lauded the initiative and spoke to the need for an increased level of infrastructure and services that needs to be offered given the imminent influx of tourists, expatriates and returning members of the diaspora.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at the weekly press conference, citing corruption, said that the lands will be repossessed once the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic is re-elected at the upcoming elections.
