Dear Editor,
It is necessary that I revisit the proposed construction of this long anticipated twelve storey office complex. I am yet to be proven otherwise by Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, MP as it relates to the complex,” for which the sum of $7.6B was approved by the National Assembly between the periods, February 2022 – February 2023 and February 2024. Editor, I have been navigating through areas in the city and from what I observed the “Aiden by Western” located at the corners of Robb and Oronoque Streets, Bourda; was completed, commissioned and currently in operations. At the corners of Quamina and Waterloo Streets, Cummingsburg, a huge hotel is being constructed, which appears, in my estimation, to be about 80% completed.
The Sheraton Four Points which commenced construction around 2022 seems to be struggling. We were told this is a private investor’s project and the name of its principal was never made public. We are all aware that any investor investing in such a project, where some US$35M is involved, with additional support from the IDB, will be pushing to ensure its completion to enjoy returns. Minister Oneidge-Waldron should provide an update since hotel operations falls in the ambit of her Ministry.
On September 25, 2024, Stabroek News carried an article via a press statement from Edghill’s office headed, ‘Edghill rebuts opposition concerns about $1.58b gov’t office
complex.’ The essence of Edghill’s statement suggested that my assertions regarding the diversion of the monies for this project was misleading. He then made several attempts without any evidence to give the public the impression that there is full transparency and accountability. Well, I beg to differ with Edghill, since I hold dearly to my earlier views that this project seems to be a ‘mysterious one, shrouded in secrecy and corruption.’ I pray this project will not experience similar fates such as the “Amaila Falls, Fiber Optic Cable and Gas to Energy projects” for which loans and taxpayers monies were paid out, but then defaulters walked free after no actions were taken against them and the nation suffered.
Further, the press release by Edghill stated that ‘materials for the superstructure are being fabricated offsite out of the jurisdiction.’ What is troubling to me, is that Edghill, being a man of the cloth, whose values and principles should be on ‘truth’ has failed miserably in convincing the nation. To remove any doubts or suspicion by myself or other colleagues in the Opposition, I expected the goodly man of the cloth to call a “press conference,” rather than publishing a “press release.” This method would have allowed for answers to be provided, and for Edghill and the team at the Ministry of Public Works to highlight images of the factory where the steel frames are being fabricated offsite, name of the company and perhaps shipment of the materials. None of this was done, save and except for images depicted in the press release of what the final product for the complexes will look like after completion.
Editor, as the old adage goes, ‘a picture tells a thousand stories.’ A visit was made on November 7, 2024, to the proposed site to get a sense of what is happening with this ‘mystery project, (my own words) involving $7.6B of taxpayers money.’ I was appalled to see what is currently taking place. Aggregates for ongoing construction linking Ogle-Eccles are being stockpiled on the very project site designated for the construction of the office complex. What Edghill stated in the press release is far from what is actually on the ground. I will not allow differences of explanations or opinions provided by Bishop Edghill to influence me.
As a layperson, with some knowledge of construction; for a structure of this kind, preparatory works are not only done on fabrication of steel frames, or sand filling. What about the foundation, which entails drilling of huge lumber piles in the ground, then casting of the foundation, which is the base for assembling and installing of steel frames; whenever they arrive in country? Editor, to prove me right, I encourage your publication to dispatch reporters with cameras, and conduct a survey of ongoing projects along the Heroes Highway, using steel frames as superstructures. Who is Bishop Edghill trying to make a fool?
This issue on the construction of the office complex has been a controversial one, and reported on several times in the media, which should be a major concern to the PPP/C Government’s chief spokesman, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who speaks on all conceivable matters, but never expressed an interest in the slothful pace at which this particular project is moving; at his weekly press conferences. This is telling! Editor, once again, I am appealing to Bishop Edghill to come clean on the $7.6B office complex for Government. In my previous letter, I asked several questions of the goodly gentleman, who perhaps found it unnecessary ‘not to be or give’ account for taxpayers’ money.
In conclusion, I am positive that on reading this letter, Bishop Edghill will take timeout from his busy schedule to host a press conference and address the questions published on September 2024. Those questions remain relevant and appropriate responses should be provided.
Sincerely,
Annette Ferguson, MP
