Red House privatized under PPP; property leased for 99 years with $1,000 paid per month
By Jomo Paul
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Minister of State Joseph Harmon shockingly revealed to the National Assembly on Friday August 21, that the Former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had privatized Red House and placed several members of the PPP hierarchy as the directors of the entity.
Harmon made the revelation while presenting his debate on the 2015 Budget where he stated that the deed was committed in 2012 by the PPP.
“The PPP when in government spent millions of dollars renovating Red House – until 2012 it was state property. Until such time that the PPP established a company called the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc,” said the Minister of State.
According to Harmon, under the privatized entity, Red House was renamed to Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and while it was a private company, its employees were paid by the State.
He named some of those persons who are listed as directors including, the late Janet Jagan, Hydar Ally, Indra Chandarpaul, Former President Donald Ramotar, Michael Khan, Kellawan Lall, Nadira Jagan and Geoffrey DaSilva.
More shocking however was the revelation that the property was leased to the company for 99 years at a rate of $12,000 per year; which is $1,000 per month.
The Red House drama did not end there as Opposition Member Irfaan Ali shouted the name of a government official whom he claims played an integral role in the process.
“What you did not say is the Honorable Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo did the document,” Ali shouted across the floor.
Harmon said that this issue was like a bone stuck in his throat, while government Chief Whip, Amna Ally shouted from across the room “bare faced thief.”
“This is the level of contempt we talk about,” Harmon said adding “you take a prime piece of property in the city of Georgetown and paid $1,000 a month for it.”
