-does not want to compromise inquiry
Mayor Alfred Mentore has declined to provide an update on the investigation into the designated site for the new Qatari hotel at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, citing the need for comprehensive information and the importance of not compromising the ongoing inquiry.
When approached by Stabroek News last Thursday, Mayor Mentore stated, “I do not want to comment on the situation without proper information and to also not compromise the investigation.” He stated that putting things out in the media may cause disruptions and as such will refrain from comments until he has all the facts.
At a statutory meeting held on February 2, the mayor asserted that lands along Carifesta Avenue designated by the government for a Qatari hotel belong to the city and President Irfaan Ali would be written to on the matter. This caused an uproar with PPP/C councillors launching blistering attacks on him for wanting to approach the higher offices. He subsequently sought the support of a majority to get the go ahead to write President Ali.
Mentore declared at the tumultuous meeting that the lands belong to the city and not to central government and that a move by the Qatari investor, Assets Group, to proceed with building on the lands would be illegal thereby forcing legal repercussions. He also disregarded the opinion of Lands and Surveys which had stated, “We need to have verifiable evidence as to what they say and to what we have on record.”
He iterated that the council is the custodian and guardian of the reserves and grounds and assets of the council and asked councillors that they stand firm in this regard.
Councillor Patricia Chase-Green who had switched to the PPP/C for the last elections, began singing loudly and mockingly, causing a disruption in the proceedings. However Mentore’s decision was supported by Councillor Hinds who stood in agreement with the mayor saying, “I heard you and I think the approach you are suggesting is a sensible one. This is not a contentious matter.”
