[www.inewsguyana.com] – The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL) says it has absolutely no connection with the development projects for the construction of a Specialty Hospital and the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
NICIL was responding to allegations published in the Kaieteur News (Saturday 7th June, 2014 edition) where Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, and Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger claimed that NICIL is paying the contractors constructing the Specialty Hospital and CJIA expansion project.
According to NICIL these allegations are entirely false and completely irresponsible.
“NICIL considers the statements by Mr. Ramjattan, as disclosed by Kaieteur News, as dishonest, reckless and highly irresponsible” NICIL noted in a statement.
Earlier this week Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon disclosed, that contractors executing current works at the Specialty Hospital and at the CJIA
Dr Luncheon explained that there is no written agreement to this effect, but more of a mutual understanding between the contractors and government.
“Everyone who are not being paid for work being done and are continuing to work, have a reasonable expectation to be paid. Everything they have to subscripe to with their own money,” Dr Luncheon told a post cabinet media briefing.
The Cabinet Secretary could not give a definite answer as to whether the administration will have to pay penalties for missing payment deadlines, as stipulated in the CJIA contract.
In April, the Combined Parliamentary Opposition, using its one seat majority disapproved the $910 million allocated for the specialty hospital in the National 2014 Budget.They also voted against the voted against the $6.5B allocated for the CJIA expansion project.
