Govt rubbishes KN land sale report

Kaieteur News headline of Sunday, August 28 titled “Government indulges in deceit to take private property – main beneficiary is close associate” represents yet again a biased and irresponsible report, the Guyana government said in a statement on Monday, August 29.

According to the government, the article appears to be totally a publication of what Toolsie Persaud has stated in court papers and makes no attempt to ascertain the facts or to present a balanced view.

“The article erroneously states that the land is owned by Toolsie Persaud Limited. The land is owned by the government, as reaffirmed 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 legal action in the local courts,” the government statement said.

Government said it has pursued the development of the land in an open and transparent manner. “Government plans to unveil the creation of a Movietown and Entertainment Complex in Guyana at the said location at Liliendaal, but is thwarted by Mr Toolsie Persaud’s abuse of the legal system.” The statement added that, 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 Movietown in Trinidad, to develop a similar project in Guyana. This sale and passage of title was completed in early August.

Government said Kaieteur News’ references to associates of the government again seek to distort the facts of the matter. The said associate referred to in the KN article is neither an officer or shareholder of Multi-Cinemas (Guyana) Inc or its sister company.

“Government considers KN article to be a total misrepresentation.

“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.”