Georgetown: Protest action was taken today for the halting of the Marriott Hotel Construction. Persons including city Mayor Hamilton Green circled with placards in front of the construction site in Kingston.
Calls for the Chinese workers in Guyana to “pack up and get out” resounded as protesters vowed that they will not sit by and allow Chinese nationals to rob them of employment.
Protestors promised daily picketing; in attendance were trade unionists Linclon Lewis, political activist Fredrick Kissoon, opposition Parliamentarians Joseph Harmon, Desmond Trotmon and supporters.
The government had boasted that the project, which is costing some US$60 million, would create hundreds of jobs. Now the government is saying that the Guyanese jobs would come when the hotel is completed.
In late 2011, former President Bharrat Jagdeo officially turned the sod for the construction of the hotel with the promise that the project will create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase, and beyond when it becomes operational.
The 160-room hotel and entertainment complex is expected by February 2014.
Despite pressure by opposition parliamentary parties and a Parliamentary motion to halt Government funding for the project, the government is stubbornly pushing ahead with the project.
The government is so far using tax dollars to fund the project. It has already handed over US$10million (G$2 billion) to SCG. Private investors are expected to contribute US$27 million.
You must be logged in to post a comment.