Approaching four years since it was first mentioned, the planned Maraiko Bay luxury housing development project along the Mahaica River is still to take off.
It had first been announced on August 28, 2020. However according to one of the principals of Construction and Investment Management Group (CIMGRO), Ragindra Persaud, the project is very much alive.
Persaud when contacted last week told the Sunday Stabroek that while works have not been started “the project is alive” and that before the end of the year, it should commence.
In 2021, Persaud and his partner for the project Sudama Ramalingum had said that it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They had explained then that with the borders being closed and travel bans in place, the engineering, architectural and other technical teams have been unable to be on site. This, they pointed out, has contributed to the slowing down of works at the site.
According to Ramalingum, some the engineers were unable to travel from the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago.
“Part of the designing and engineering teams are from the UK and they cannot travel. A few others are from Trinidad and Tobago and they cannot travel either, so the progress is not where we had expect it to be. With countries now getting vaccines, we are hoping that they will be able to travel here soon,” Ramalingum had explained.
The teams were expected to conduct their own independent assessment of the 1,000 plus acres oceanfront land and determine the best and most suitable way for construction.
Persaud, who is a part of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies, had related then that despite the challenge with COVID-19, they were still in the land preparation phase and were tweaking components of the master plan.
The project is aimed at construction of 2,200 single homes and 800 condominium-style homes.
Persaud had said they are prepared to work with Guyanese in the construction sector to realise their vision of the community. The venture is pegged at US$1.4 billion.
The housing development is located along two miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by the Mahaica River.
It was noted that a golf course will be designed under the hands of golf course designer David Hemstock, member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and will offer magnificent vistas of waterways, canals, and challenging Atlantic Ocean finishing holes.
“The luxurious estate homes of Maraiko Bay Golf and Country Club will be set amidst the backdrop of a spectacular Hemstock Signature golf course and is designed to be an up-scale community of tree lined streets, fine homes and modern amenities, just a short drive from the heart of the historic capital city of Georgetown via the newly renovated highway or using the conveniently located on-site heliport,” the developers said upon the announcement of the project in 2020.
Persaud had stated too that a Memorandum of Understanding had already been signed with the Petroleum Club, headed by John Moore, Chairman of Agraria Inc. for a 75-unit luxury housing complex including a clubhouse, restaurant and leisure facilities. In addition, Phase 1 would encompass 150 condos, 200 luxury homes and 50 executive homes, a commercial centre and other amenities.
