…Govt describes Kaieteur News article as,biased and irresponsible’
KAIETEUR News (KN) Sunday Headline of August 28, titled “Government indulges in deceit to take private property–main beneficiary is close associate” represents, yet again, a biased and irresponsible report by KN, a government release said last night. “The article appears to be totally a publication of what Mr. Toolsie Persaud has stated in court papers. The article makes no attempt to ascertain the facts or to present a balanced view,” the release stated.
“The article erroneously states that the land is owned by Toolsie Persaud Limited. The land is owned by the government as re-affirmed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in July, 2008. Despite judgment in favour of the government, by the highest court subscribed to by Guyana, the CCJ, Mr. Toolsie Persaud continues to seek to frustrate government’s attempt to develop the area, via their legal action in the local courts. 
“For the record, the government has pursued the development of these lands in an open and transparent manner. Government’s plan to unveil the creation of a Movietowne and Entertainment Complex in Guyana, at the said location at Liliendaal, is thwarted by Mr. Toolsie Persaud’s abuse of the legal system.
“Earlier this year, government, via NICIL, sold 10.002 acres of land to Multi Cinemas (Guyana) Inc, the sister company of the Trinidadian company, Multi Cinemas Inc, that owns Movietowne in Trinidad, to develop a similar project in Guyana.  This sale and passage of title was completed in early August.  
Kaieteur News references to associates of the government again seek to distort the true facts of the matter.  The said associate referred to in the KN article is neither an officer nor shareholder of Multi-Cinemas (Guyana) Inc, or its sister company.
“Government considers KN article to be a total mis-representation.  Contrary to the report in KN, the CCJ never ordered government to transfer title to TPL. Government asserts that the sale of land owned by government, with such ownership rights being re-affirmed by the CCJ, is proper. Given that this matter is currently before the courts, government will address the details of this matter at an appropriate time in the future,” the release concludes.