Dear Editor,
I HAVE looked at the interview of Vice-president Jagdeo by VICE News with keen interest and admit that I, like many others, was shell-shocked and dismayed, when the reporter stunningly claimed that a named individual, who is familiar with the Vice-President(VP), is alleged to have made damning accusations against him regarding corruption with Chinese businesspeople. Now, from the outset, I wish to be pellucid that: (a) this letter is unsolicited; (b) that I do not speak for the Vice-President, neither do I represent him; (c) that I am not trying to refute the allegation made, or to defend him, since he has already frontally addressed the matter.

The allegation, damning as it is, along with its possible, inherent implications, must and has undoubtedly caused grave concern to our citizens. Further, it has been heavily ventilated and widely circulated in all print, broadcast, electronic, and of course, several social media platforms by social and political commentators among others. From the responses I have seen, especially on social and broadcast media, and notwithstanding the Vice-President’s explanation and denial, it appears that some persons have seemingly found comprehensive and irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing, or specifically, corruption. Further, they have already tried the VP in their “court” and found him guilty, now he must be punished! The main thrust of this letter is to share my experience of dealing with VP Jagdeo and give my take on how he operates. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary for me to relay some historical details, not intending to castigate anyone, but to simply, and singularly, highlight his pro- development attitude and approach towards the transformational objectives laid out by his government. Back in 2016, my company engaged with Mr Anthony Mallows, an eminently qualified and experienced professional in the field of Architecture & City Planning, to develop a sustainable and viable concept for a planned transformational development my company is undertaking. Back then Mr Mallows was the Executive Director and led the development team of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates (UAE). For those unaware, Masdar City is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government’s Mubadla Investment Company. The UAE Government in its wisdom realised, notwithstanding, the Emirates sitting on proven and huge reserves of fossil fuel, that the time had come to think ahead, plan, and diversify its oil economy to retain its economic advantages, post oil. Resultantly, the Mazdar Institute of Technology, now called – Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, was created and numerous experts were recruited worldwide, to execute their plan. With a vision of developing the world’s most sustainable eco-city, Masdar is successfully pioneering a ‘greenprint’ for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy and water consumption and waste. When completed, over 50,000 people will work and study in Masdar City with an additional 40,000 people living in this pedestrian-oriented, low-carbon community. Together with Anthony and other experts on our team, we developed a concept for our own private property, but did not stop there. It was obvious to us that Stabroek was the city’s hub, most prominent and historical place, and within which the seat of people’s power, Parliament, was situated. In our considered opinion, it possessed the prerequisites, meaning physical, geographical, commercial, pedestrian, and other relative characteristics that distinguish it from any other part of the capital city. In fact, we have no doubt that the area has the potential to become to Guyana that what Times Square is to New York City. Regrettably, and notwithstanding its significant and historic importance, the area has fallen into deep decay. Chaos and lawlessness reign supreme, thereby creating a most suitable environment for criminals to operate with impunity. Mugging is so prevalent that it no longer has the effect of disbelief and astonishment to those still brave enough to remain in, or pass through the area. Victims are seen and treated as just another. Meanwhile, no one intervenes to assist out of fear of retaliation. It is a known fact that foreign embassies in Guyana consider it a no-go area and so advise their citizens. That advice is certainly no exaggeration. It was evident that there existed a critical need for redevelopment of the area to address its ever-expanding woes. This need was recognised by government and the municipality also, hence the studies initiated at significant cost, to provide solutions. There was the Integrated Environment Assessment of Georgetown by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2009, then in 2011 the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) conducted its own study to redevelop the Stabroek area, after which in 2017, the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure engaged the Colombian transportation experts, GSD Plus, to do a Sustainable Urban Transportation Study (SUTS). Utilising our team’s expertise, vast global experience, and proven track record, and incorporating and amalgamating the most practicable and comprehensive recommendations from the studies with ours, we meticulously designed and prepared a redevelopment master plan for this important district of the capital city, at my company’s sole expense. The evolved Masterplan has distinctly identified the worrisome issues and offered realistic and practical solutions, that can be tailored to solve comprehensively and finally, the Stabroek conundrum. The master plan is a truly transformative and all-encompassing one that fully “syncs” with the stated vision and policy of government to transform Guyana for the benefit of all Guyanese. In it, the interest of every stakeholder has been factored in, and while we ensured that it served the purpose of improving security, the physical infrastructure and aesthetics, along with increased commerce and added value to properties, etc., extra emphasis was placed to ensure that it is the driver that will improve people’s lives, livelihoods, and every aspect of the district. To share the vision and advance the cause, we wrote then President Granger on two occasions. We wrote to and met several of his most senior ministers, we even brought the consultancy team to Guyana for additional meetings to hear government’s views, and to address and incorporate any changes it desired. After refining and finalising the concept with their input, we made numerous requests for the opportunity to do a presentation of the master plan to Cabinet unsuccessfully. Additionally, we shared the vision with the UK High Commission, the European Investment Bank, International Finance Corporation, (private sector arm of the World Bank), the Mayor & Councillors of Georgetown, and made full presentations to the United States Embassy in Georgetown and the IDB Invest (member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group), AMCHAM and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.

As is imaginable, a huge amount of resources comprising intellectual, financial and time was expended in the years leading to the completion of the master plan. The final numbers would be shocking were we to ascribe a dollar value to all the efforts and endeavours we made to advance this most worthwhile plan that would have brought desperately needed relief to businesses, residents and visitors, vendors, commuters, and the district itself. We were extremely frustrated but remained undaunted, since we were confident that the vision and plan were comprehensive, desperately needed by stakeholders, and most appropriate for one of the fastest-growing economies of the world. On August 08, 2020, I wrote Vice-President Jagdeo for the first time and provided details of our vision and plan and requested a meeting which he granted. On August 31, 2020, we met at his office. From his walk into the office, his body language and demeanour, and the discussions had, they all conveyed an energy and enthusiasm for development and progress. I could only conclude that here was a leader with a mission to accomplish, and one who wanted it to be done post-haste. After presenting our vision and plan which he listened to carefully, he then asked several scrutinising and searching questions ranging from economics, finance and capacity, among others, as can be expected from a former President and an eminently trained and experienced economist and global figure. After seeming to be encouraged and interested by what I told him, he advised that a full proposal be submitted to the appropriate agency for consideration as the first step. He then made several crystal-clear comments as stated below: a) his government wants development to happen and will facilitate it. b); it will always support Guyanese businesses. c); the proposal must be sound and feasible, financial, and otherwise; d) there will be a level playing field for all to compete; e) he will assist to fast-track investments that his government considers worthy. Then came the caveats; 1) the employment and training of Guyanese are paramount; 2) Guyanese must benefit from the development that happens. Following on his advice, we submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Ministry of Tourism for consideration, after which a MoU for our private development was signed. This whole process, from my letter of Aug 08, 2020, to the signing of the MoU on Dec 02, 2020, took less than four months! Conclusion: in these hard economic times and scarcity, it is important that decisions on investments be made in a timely manner, as every country is competing for investors and investments. From my meeting and interaction with the Vice-president, I can see his drive and determination to fast-track development in the interest of the country and its citizens. At no time in the meeting did I feel I needed to do anything out of the way to assist in advancing our proposal, other than to submit a solid and feasible project. It was obvious he wanted to assist and move viable projects forward and it is on this basis, and from my interaction with VP Jagdeo, that I find the purported accusation unfounded. The links below will provide access to visual details of the vision and master plan.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nng5e7ef27qlssk/Stabroek%20Redevelopment%20Plan%20renderings%20for%20public-%20Mar%2005%2C%202022.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ybdl5lal7ohh8e/Documentary%20Stabroek%20Redevelopment%20Project.mp4?dl=0

Yours sincerely,
Oncar Ramroop
Chief Executive Officer
Ramroop’s Investments Inc