Dear Editor,
It is known that I am not a political personality and as I try to get my points across, I always try to be a fair commentator. Of course, when one is a fair commentator, one will get ‘blows’ from both sides, but that goes with the territory of impartiality.
I recall well that while the Guyana Marriott Hotel was being built, and even after its construction and during its opening, the then opposition was making demonstrations and protests about the Guyana Marriott Hotel. They had promised to turn the Hotel into a Children’s Hospital and/or make it into a section for the University of Guyana.
I had written a letter glorifying the project, as I am a customer and a lover of the Marriott Group, in which I had advised that Guyana needs a true five-star hotel to house Heads of State, Diplomats and special events on behalf of our Government and embassies.
After the elections, I was looking out in awe, as I feared that as soon as the new Government took power, they would have eliminated the Marriott brand and do exactly what they said they would do.
However, I observed that they were not taking any such action and I personally felt happiness and pride at the awakening of the reality of the new Government as to the importance of an entity of this calibre.
I am noticing now, as I did in the various newspapers prior to the New Year, that the Casino and Entertainment Centre for Marriott is officially underway. In other words, they have moved ahead with the construction of the casino and entertainment centre.
I recall that the initial protest had chased away an original investor for the casino, but now we are moving ahead with it.
I should say that I personally do not believe in casinos and gambling, as a person of religion. However, I have seen casinos in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, etc, which are supposedly Islamic countries.
And so, for the sake of the development and growth of Guyana, and to create employment for our people and bring us up the ladder of success by making Guyana a premium tourist destination, this hotel is a prerequisite for development.
So, congratulations to NICIL and the Government of Guyana for agreeing now that the Marriott is a good thing.
Sincerely,
Roshan Khan
CEO/Chairman/Founder
