Kaieteur News (KN) Sunday Headline of September 4 titled “NICIL’s Deputy Involvement a blatant conflict of interest” again seeks to distort the facts and ignore the truth.
Government wishes to reiterate that the land recently sold for the establishment of a Movietowne, was immediately prior to the sale, owned by the Government as confirmed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) July 2008 decision. The judgment delivered by the then President of the CCJ, Justice Michael de La Bastide dismissed the claim by TPL for ownership by prescription:
“ the Appellant’s [TPL] Petition against the Third Respondents [The Attorney General of Guyana] in respect of areas “K”, “J”, “N” and “O” is dismissed.”
A portion of Area K was sold to and is now owned by Multicinemas Guyana Inc.
The article’s suggestion that Mrs. Nadir-Sharma engaged in unethical and maybe illegal conduct that created a conflict of interest, is without regard to the facts.  Ms. Marcia Nadir-Sharma serves as NICIL’s in-house attorney and Deputy CEO.  At no time did NICIL’s DCEO act in a private capacity or receive any fee from Multicinemas Guyana Inc.
NICIL’s in-house attorney-at-law, has on a number of occasions assisted prospective investors or buyers with the relevant legal paperwork necessary for concluding transactions.
As one of the key investment agencies in Guyana, this level of support and assistance is not an uncommon service provided by investment agencies in many countries.  In this insistence, therefore, the Attorney-at-law of the Privatisation Unit/NICIL’s execution of documents to allow the incorporation of a company that is doing business with NICIL/GOG, for no fee, is simply a facilitation service to investors and not a conflict of interest.
GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA
September 5th 2011