Opposition’s Motion to block Marriott project is political- Finance Minister Singh

Georgetown : The Opposition vote in favour of a Motion moved by AFC member, Khemraj Ramjattan entitled ‘Public Monies on Marriot Hotel to be Halted Until approval by the National Assembly’.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said that the fact that the Opposition is not asking for more scrutiny or openness about the project but rather, they want to stop the project altogether.

He told the House that Government has no problems with any level of scrutiny as it regards this or any other project and is fully prepared to engage parliamentarians in discussions at their request.

He said that the Opposition’s move to block a national project that will create employment and generate income is clearly politically driven and has nothing to do with lack of transparency and openness as they are claiming.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali said that the Opposition is of the view that the project is an inevitable failure but to date, has failed to show  solid analysis as to why the project would not be economically viable.

After several hours of debate, a division was called; resulting in 33 members voting for the Motion and 31 against.