By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former President Bharrat Jagdeo leased a prime piece of development land opposite the Headquarters of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to convicted fraudster Edul Ahmad for just $500,000 per year.
This was revealed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post cabinet press briefing on Thursday, December 10 as he detailed one instance of corruption under the former Administration.
Harmon told the news conference that the deal between the Former President and the businessman was completed in a matter of days and reek of “corruption.”
According to Harmon, even while the piece of land was the subject of a dispute between the then Government and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the PPP Government moved ahead with the lease.
He revealed that Ahmad applied for the lease on May 22, 2008; the application was approved on May 27. A survey which has legal implications was done one day later and the said survey was registered on May 29, the Minister of State told reporters.
“Notice has to be served when you are doing a survey on surrounding land owners and they have to be given an opportunity to object…There is a time stipulated for them to file objection to the Lands and Survey Commission,” Harmon explained.
This transaction culminated with the lease being issued to the businessman on May 30, 2008 and the process, which usually takes a longer period, took place in a matter of eight days, Harmon revealed.
The process, he said, “reeks of extreme efficiency in the conduct of government services… All of this you can call it administrative efficiency.”
It was revealed that while Ahmad made an initial payment of $500,000 for the lease, no other payments were made and the government would now be moving to repossess the property.
The land was leased to develop a Hotel that would include 150 rooms, a casino, and a bar, among other amenities. It was noted that after a certain period of time, Ahmad would have been allowed to purchase the land from the State
“So when Mr Jagdeo speaks of these corruption and to bring the evidence, here it is,” said Harmon.
Bunch of filthy thieves…
This exactly what he has done in 23 years…give every thing to his buddies he SCREW the tax payers….the nerve of him to talk about the now government stealing….thief man don’t like to see anyone else with a bag. I am wondering what he gave Roger Khan?.
It is rather strange a statement Jagdeo made when he said that the people want the PPP back in office,but unfortunately,he never mentioned who these people are.It might very well mean people like Ahmad,who it is alleged,paid only one yearly payment on the corrupt deal.SHOW ME THE CORRUPTION,here is one instance BARE-FACED,HYPOCRITICAL, JAGDEO.
LOL Emile_Mervin but guess what he will run the next Government.
EM you forgot MIAMI and Florida,the oil money plus the gold money all he was going with,,,RIP PeePeePee/Cocaine,
Don’t think for a moment this new bunch is any better. They are busy doling out to their friends and relatives.
Did the jackasses Harmon state the lease was revoked in 2009
Car why don’t you try to contact Roger, I am sure he would be glad to hear from you.
Well BHA-rat said all will be clarified, this is only the “smoke”, now we need to find the trail to Roger Khan……
Jagdeo leased!
Jagdeo sold!
Jagdeo gave!
Jagdeo took!
Jagdeo wants!
Jagdeo owns!
If the PPP did not lose on May 11, Jagdeo would have owned Guyana. This is why he must never be allowed to run another government.