Opposition PPP/C parliamentarian Joseph Hamilton yesterday confirmed that he is the local representative of a Suriname-based company, which has won and successfully executed several contracts to build houses for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
Asked during a press conference yesterday if he has received contracts from the Ministry of Communities for the construction of duplexes, he immediately responded, “No, no, I have never …I represent a company, a Suriname-based company in Guyana. Joseph Hamilton is not involved on his [own] behalf with the Ministry of Housing.”
He would later identify the company as ‘Rocka Palace,’ which was registered in Guyana in 2016 “or thereabouts.” According to him the company has constructed duplexes and three model houses for CH&PA
Hamilton would later stress that it was the company that won the contracts for the construction of houses, not him. “Not Joseph Hamilton, I’m correcting the question you asked ….I am saying to you and you can check the record, a company by name… that is [a] Suriname company…I represent them in Guyana,” he said while stressing that it was the company that would have engaged the ministry.
Asked if he is responsible for putting in the bids and signing the contracts, he said, “Yes, I am the representative.” When asked about his compensation as a representative of the company, he responded, “Should I say that to you? I am telling you I am the representative.”
He noted that checks could be made at CH&PA to confirm this.
He made it clear that the company has completed all its contracts “properly” and has a good record. “So there is nothing to hide on this matter and I am saying this company exists… [and] is working for the Ministry of Housing,” he added.
The press conference, which was being hosted by the PPP/C’s presidential candidate Irfaan Ali, came to an abrupt end when Hamilton was asked if he signed all contracts on behalf of the company.
