Despite challenging weather conditions, construction on the multimillion dollar AC Marriott Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara has commenced, Trinidadian business magnate John Aboud told Stabroek News in a recent interview.
Aboud explained that work is currently progressing on the foundation with piling activities, as well as on the perimeter walls. He added that the steel beams to be used for the structure of the hotel are expected to arrive in the country by the end of February.
The businessman acknowledged that while there have been some delays due to unfavourable weather conditions, the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited, has committed to a plan to get work back on schedule.
He further stated that although the hotel is being built by a Chinese company, a number of locals are being employed through subcontracting services. Once the hotel is operational, he added, 99 percent of the staff complement will be Guyanese as some 140 permanent jobs will be created. The construction phase of the project is expected to create about 400 jobs.
The four-star, 150-room hotel which is being built at a cost of US$50 million is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.
In mid-2022, Aboud’s company, Trinuyana Investments Incorporated, announced it had signed a contract with CHEC for the construction of the hotel. The five-storey structure is being built near the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle. Facilities will include a swimming pool, fitness room, lounge, library, media salon, meeting room, reception area, courtyard, and an outdoor area. Paved parking lots, drive aisles, and site roads will be situated north of the building. A total of 114 parking spaces will be provided and there will be a drop-off roundabout in front of the courtyard. Retail stores are also included in the design.
To fill permanent jobs, training will be provided to improve the available supply of employees in all areas of the hospitality industry.
AC Hotels by Marriott operates as a subsidiary of Marriott International Inc.
In February 2020, a sod-turning ceremony was held for the construction of the hotel. Shortly after it was announced that Trinuyana Investments Incorporated of Guyana had signed an agreement with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to develop a world class, select service hotel.
However, the company turned a second sod after progress stalled when the current PPP/C administration had highlighted that the planned project would fall in the path of the planned Diamond to Ogle road and that it had to be rectified.
