Georgetown : The Cheddi Jagan Research Center will not continue in its present state of being leased, almost indefinitely, to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). This declaration came from Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, during a press conference at the AG’s Chambers.
According to Minister Williams, the government is set to put legal measures in place, to ‘correct’ a ploy that the former administration used to benefit its PPP/C elite members. Soon after assuming governance of Guyana, the Coalition Government discovered and revealed that the Cheddi Jagan Research Center, deemed the Red House, was really State property, but via a ‘legal ruse’ the PPP leased it to selected members for its operation, to conduct mainly party work.
AG Williams highlighted that the idea of a 99 – year lease for a mere yearly pittance, is tantamount to serious abuse of office and a clear case of malfeasance.
He explained that the length of the lease is like taking the transport into ownership, and as such, Red House is virtually the PPP’s. Minister Williams explained also that Red House should not be exclusively for work in the name of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, one of Guyana’s past presidents; “it should be for work, studies and research for anyone of the past, and later future presidents of Guyana.”
The AG made reference to a similar gambit by the said PPP, in relation to Pradoville. He noted that the plots of land, sold to a select set of people, were not “sold as was and is” meaning that the price paid was far below what should have been paid.
The AG detailed that the price was for ‘undeveloped land’ that was later ‘shored up’ by the previous government, knowing fully well that it was a case of wrong doing.
The Minister, however, pointed out that discussions were and are being held with the PPP, in terms of rectifying the situation.
AG Williams spelt out that in terms of criminal charges, a plea bargain is an option, and properties and assets can be returned or be fully paid for, according to proper market values.
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