–Dr Jagdeo says

AS Guyana continues to develop rapidly, the opportunities for Guyanese are increasing and according to People’s Progressive Party(PPP) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, at least 500 Guyanese will soon benefit from permanent employment when the construction of the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre is completed.

He made those remarks during a press conference at Freedom House, on Thursday.

Dr Jagdeo, while addressing the new avenues that will be opened because of the hotel, which is valued at over $US300 million, he said: “At the end of construction, you will have at least 500 Guyanese who will have permanent jobs there, like the Marriott.”

While responding to detractors of development who had criticised the Marriott Hotel, he said that they had to “eat their words” after saying that the Marriott Hotel would have been a white elephant.

Further, providing clarification on the massive stadium in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), that will be constructed by the Government of Qatar, the PPP General Secretary said that it is a gift and will not require public funds.

Dr Jagdeo related: “So we’re not utilising revenue to build these facilities, but they will be game changers for people who live in these regions.”

EXPANSION
Set to be the country’s largest tourism and hospitality investment, the sod was turned on February 18 at Carifesta Avenue, where the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre will be built.

Touted to be a world-class facility, the new resort will feature 260 rooms and suites, 150 service apartments and premium villas, and it represents a collaboration between the Governments of Guyana and Qatar.

During an address at a ceremonial sod-turning event, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said that the facility will add to the growing improvement in the quality of service the country is already offering.
The investment, he said, further fits into the country’s overall plan of ensuring sustainable development.

The project is being executed by private investors, the Assets Group out of Qatar and construction is expected to begin soon with the hopes of completion within three years.

The five-star facility will also feature retail units for food and beverages, high luxury fashion brands, a state-of-the-art health club and a convention centre with cutting-edge facilities. It was uniquely designed with Guyanese in mind.

“When you examine the features of the investment you will see that [it] mirrors the history of Georgetown, the architectural history was carefully taken into consideration in the design of the building. The natural attributes of Guyana was takin into the design.

“We now have the type of investment that will support the natural quality of our product and I have no doubt that we will be able to build a world-class tourism sector, a tourism sector that will see the diversification of our economy and expansion of our economy realising its full potential,” the President added.