Dear Editor,
I am sorry to hear that the potential buyer of Marriott Hotel suddenly died. The death of the investor is reminiscent of that of Navalny and other Putin opponents who died suddenly in Russia for openly opposing the autocratic ruler. It is a known fact that a Guyana high government functionary has opposed the sale of the local hotel to the potential investor. The investor twice won the bid. Yet government has opposed the sale to him, creating a stress like situation. Did that play a role in the man’s sudden death or were there other factors? Why isn’t government selling the hotel to that investor? The Marriott hotel, the oil refinery, among other projects have been stalled. Why? Are these reserved for the connected?
It is a known fact that Guyana government functionaries have been manipulating ownership and planned sale of the hotel. For instance, government put in the majority financing of the construction of the hotel, but the minority private shareholders inexplicably and owned the majority shares. It is illogical for minority investors to own majority shares. This only happens in Guyana. A known media baron and close friend of one high functionary ended up owning half the shares of Marriott for a mere 20% investment. Other private connected investors also owned shares also. It is like government paying for the construction of the hotel and giving control of it to the minority private investors. Is government opposing the sale to the investor in order to give it to the ‘right’ buyer, a friend of a high government functionary?
The man’s death means government has to pursue another buyer, perhaps an ally shareholder of Marriott. And how about the man’s death? One cannot discount any link to the cause of the man’s death given elements of governance in Guyana that are similar to Putin’s. People are fearful of critiquing or opposing the government in Guyana. Fear starks the land as the UN Human Rights Commission recently exposed at its hearing on Guyana. Potential developers and investors as well as critics are targeted for going contrary to the self-interests of functionaries not different from Putin’s Russia. It is a known fact that persons opposed to Putin’s interests were or are generally marked; several died mysteriously. Projects were or are given to friends of Putin similar to what happens in Guyana. Those who complained were dealt with.
In Guyana, it is a known fact that major lucrative projects such as shore bases, refineries, gold mining and logging concessions, pharmaceuticals, among others, are kept for a few inner circle of the government. Some investors are mere fronts for senior government functionaries. Others can’t get in, and they have to watch their back in opposing or government’s approval of projects. They are quiet, acquiescing to the status quo fearing for their safety. They don’t want to go against the cabal and put themselves at risk. Death or body harm have been known to be used as a tool to cause others not to challenge the cabal on large projects that are doled out to favoured companies. And fear mongering seems to be working as people are silent. People are fearful of government.
And related to investment, it is also known that the country suffers from severe shortage of foreign currency. It is widely believed that foreign currency is used as a tool by functionaries against certain non-favored business interests. Last week, government announced there was US$50 million available in the market. Foreign currency shortage brings back memories of the darkest days of PNC rule. There should be no shortage of foreign currency. All foreign currencies from sale of oil amount to billions of American dollars annually. But the foreign currencies are kept for the inner circle friends of functionaries who enjoy a distinct advantage over competitors similar to the control exercised by Putin.
Isn’t it time for potential developers of major industries not connected to government functionaries be given a level playing field so that all can compete equally. Isn’t it time also for diplomats of the ABCE countries to start asking relevant questions about abuse of powers in Guyana and the non-level playing field? Shouldn’t ABCE countries start cancelling visas to deter the institutionalizing of Putinesque governance?
Yours truly,
Nigel Pilgrim