A massive development project to transform a ground in Bushlot Village, West Coast Berbice into a multipurpose facility to benefit the community and surrounding areas is now on hold after an accusation that the developer wants to take full control of the facility.
The Jumbo Jet business owned by Nasrudeen Mohamed had embarked on a massive developmental plan at the location to transform it into a multi-purpose facility which is expected to cost between $300m to $400m, however, Stabroek News was told that the businessman has halted works after an accusation that he was attempting to claim possession of the facility.
The ground known as the Sea View Park ‘Race Track’ is located on the northeast side of Bushlot Village and falls under the management of the Bushlot United Turf Club.
Darmindra Dharamjit, 55, President of the club, when contacted yesterday explained, that the project at the facility was started some six months ago. He said, prior to the project Jumbo Jet donated $40m to carry out works on the track itself and this was done.
However, the project was then developed to transform the 25-acre facility into a multipurpose one to service the entire community and not just have horse racing at the location. “The whole community and nearby villages would have access. Mr. Jumbo Jet wanted to do development, to make a playground, a park for kids recreational ground, a football field, a tennis ground so that everyone in the community could have benefitted”, he said.
According to Dharamjit, the club decided that they would make an agreement with Mohamed to give him the rights to run horse races for about ten years to earn back his investment at the location.
However, news then broke within the community claiming that Mohamed was attempting to have his name on the lease of the ground.
After this, Mohamed reportedly halted works at the location citing the accusations.
Dharamjit yesterday told Stabroek News that the works were halted after the grandstand was taken down to be rebuilt. He said, “He pulled out all his machines and said let the club take over and you guys continue to fix it, the club don’t have a penny… The track itself is perfect but now the grandstand can’t be fixed in time… We get the President Cup running on September 23 and we have to move the race to the Rising Sun.”
Lease
Meanwhile, Dharamjit, who identified himself to be the brother-in-law of the Jumbo Jet owner, stressed that the lease is in the club’s name and that it cannot go into a single developer’s name.
“The club applied for the lease and it came out, the lease cannot go in a single person’s name… Jumbo Jet is my brother-in-law but I’m on nobody’s side, I am looking out for the community. What the man is doing is for the community. (The person) is saying that he (Jumbo Jet) will close the gate on the community but he (Jumbo Jet) did so much for masjids and other places and he never closed the door on people.”
Asheik Motilall, Vice President of the Bushlot United Turf Club, is contending that Mohamed backed out of the project after efforts to seek the lease in his name proved futile.
Motilall claims that the club was not a part of the project, “Jumbo Jet …break down two grandstands, one judge box, and 14 stable.”
Touching on the track, Motilall said, “He dig out the track back and make it back and give it to the club.”
Motilall is of the opinion, that the club is being bullied into handing over rights to the developer. “They said after the track that they own the place, the government gave them and they do what they got to do”, he said.
He added, “The residents know they like the place to develop but they not giving away the lease.”
Meanwhile, Stabroek News was told that the Club is expected to have its statutory meeting sometime next week where the matter will be further ventilated.
