Georgetown: Following speculation that the Sun and Sand Hotel venture may have fallen through, the company announced that construction was set to start on December 1.
Director of the Sun and Sand Group of Companies, Bhushan Chandna explained that the company was finally able to acquire its land demarcation and execution dimension papers from the Guyana Lands and Surveys.
“We will begin to construct very soon. For us to start construction, a lot of things had to be done. I wanted to work according to Guyana’s guidelines,” Chandna assured.
He explained that he planned to improve on the hotel’s size as time progressed. “I can assure you that we are committed to this work. Will first start things small and will grow with time.”
A few days ago, this newspaper was reliably informed by Brian Tiwarie of BK International that land documents were hindering the progress of the hotel.
There was a lot of misinformation being spread by Opposition members with regard to the hotel project.
But, on November 24, President Donald Ramotar and acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali both confirmed that the hotel project was still on stream.
Since the President turned the sod for the launch of the hotel back in July, there was much speculation on the venture. Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan is quoted in sections of the media as expressing the view that there might be more to the actual deal that the Government negotiated with Indian investors.
He said his party was of the view that the project appeared less than apparent and that concessions and other incentives may have been granted.
Ramjattan was also of the opinion that the hotel deal between the Government and the Sun and Sand company is being used as a front to enter the mineral industry. However, Chandna said at this point the company’s main aim is to complete the hotel.
He did explain that the company does desire to enter other sectors in Guyana’s economy, including mining, but not until the hotel venture was completed. “We will see later. Not right now, maybe in January onwards.”
Chandna revealed that he planned to get the construction of the hotel finished in the shortest amount of time and as a result, he planned to bring the latest technologies from Dubai and India to Guyana. “We will bring lots of technologies so the contacting will be done very fast.”
Initially, construction of the hotel was expected to last 18 months. When completed, it will boast 163 rooms and provide jobs for several hundred Guyanese.
The hotel, which will be located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, is a US$54 million project. President Ramotar, during the launch of the hotel, said it was a welcomed project and would raise Guyana higher on the international scene. He believes that this new venture will also attract additional international airlines to Guyana.
All of the equipment for the construction of the hotel has already been purchased.
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