| ..Here is evidence of corruption, Jagdeo—HarmonThere are shocking details emerging now that former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his governmentEx-President Bharrat Jagdeosecretly approved a lease of prime property near the army headquarters in Thomas Lands, and gave it to his embattled friend, Edul Ahmad.The 2008 transaction, was all done in just seven days- from the time Ahmad made his application to the time he received his lease that also give him the option to buy.This is now being made public by the new administration that has been hard pressed to prove there was corruption under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.Ahmad is facing jail time in the US for a US$50M real estate fraud to which he pleaded guilty.The land in question is at the corner of Thomas and J.B Singh Roads,Cheap MLB Jerseys China, Thomas Lands, south of Camp Ayanganna.Months after the deal was signed, the PPP/C government battled with the Guyana Public Service Union for the lands. The union had insisted it had control on the land. The matter ended up in court with no decision to this day.All through this time, the PPP/C Government never disclosed that it had leased the lands to Ahmad, who promised to sink US$75M to develop a hotel, complete with restaurant, bar, a casino, club,Cheap Shoes Wholesale, and trade exhibition hall.Ahmad was bound to submit a business plan a month after he signed the lease- on May 30, 2008.Yesterday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made public the shady deal, disclosing that Ahmad hasEdul Ahmadlapsed in his lease payments of $500,000 annually. As a matter of fact, the New York-based real estate magnate, who is to be sentenced in a New York court in February, only made one payment. This is in breach of his lease.Government has since started moves to take back the land from Ahmad, using clauses in the 99-year lease agreement that have to do with the annual rents.According to Minister Harmon, the new administration has been taking note of the claims by Jagdeo, that no corruption existed under his reign and that ongoing forensic audits and investigations are all but a smokescreen.The transaction reeks of corruption, the official stated.As a matter of fact, it was discussed Tuesday by the Cabinet.The lease itself along with the applications would show the high interest that Jagdeo and his government paid to the transaction and the speed in which it was processed.On May 22, 2008, Ahmad through a company called Generation Complex Inc. applied for the land–bout 2.311 acres at Plantation Thomas Lands.It was approved and a cadastral survey was executed by May 29- five days later. It was registered that same day with Ahmad signing the lease on May 30.“We can call it administrative efficiency…we can probably call it that, but we in Guyana know that there is no way that the sequence of events can be completed in seven days and for a lease to be issued by May 30.The lease allowed for Ahmad to buy the land for just about $50M once he has spent about US$30M of the US$75M investment he committed to.“In effect it is a sort of back door arrangement whereby the company was granted a lease within seven days and given option of purchasing land without the normal processes when it comes to purchasing lands,Magasin Air Max Belgique,” Harmon yesterday.“So when Mr Jagdeo speaks …about corruption…to bring the evidence…here it is…”Harmon said that from indications,Yeezy Boost 350 China Wholesale, following the speed of the transaction, it appeared Ahmad saw a piece, was able to get a lease in seven days along with the necessary permission, in an area that is specifically set aside for recreational purposes.“The lands along the area are for that… you have clubs, you have sports facilities…”Questioned about what was so illegal about the transaction, Harmon insisted that one has to take into account that when conducting a survey, notice has to be served to the surrounding land owners. This is to allow for objections to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.“…If you are serving notice on the same day of survey, something is very wrong with that. Survey same day, issue notice same day,Scarpe Adidas Italia, prepare plan same day, certify same day… you call that a one-day plan, and something is legally wrong with that,” the Minister pointed out.The transaction would be among a number of deals done under the PPP/C government that have been questioned.Many of the details only came to light afterwards and through documents that surfaced.The PPP/C administration lost its 20-year grip on power for the first time in May, following early general elections.The sports ground deal would also call to mind the secret sale of the Sanata complex at Industrial Site, by Jagdeo,Wholesale Jerseys China, to his best friend,Yeezy Boost 350 Cheap Real, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop.The deal is being investigated by the new government. |
