By Samuel Gillis
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are contemplating legal action concerning the Qatari hotel project following revelations about the intended sale of land.
However, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has challenged the municipality to proceed with legal action if they are confident that the land belongs to the M&CC and not the government.
Last month, the groundbreaking ceremony for the US$300 million Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre took place on Carifesta Avenue.
It was disclosed that Qatari investors would pay approximately $2 billion for the two plots of land designated for the hotel’s construction.
However, both the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the M&CC have produced individual copies of transports claiming rights to the land, leading to legal ambiguity.
In response to the M&CC’s intentions, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has challenged City Mayor Alfred Mentore to pursue legal action, questioning the merit of their claims.
Nandlall urged the M&CC to present their case in court if they believe they have sufficient grounds.
Meanwhile, Mentore had previously instructed the M&CC’s Engineer’s Department to issue a cease order on the fence surrounding the Carifesta Avenue land.
However, this order was later withdrawn, prompting questions about the authority behind the decision.
Nandlall credited Colvern Venture, head of the department, for withdrawing the order, stating it was issued in error.
Nandlall further criticized individuals he described as ‘enemies of progress,’ referring to those who have opposed major development projects in the past.
Despite the M&CC’s stance, Nandlall highlighted that the GLSC had conducted a comprehensive historical survey, confirming government ownership of the land.
The situation underscores the complexity surrounding land ownership and development projects, with legal proceedings likely to provide clarity on the matter.