| Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project…Alliance For Change Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, whilst on an official visit to the United States to meet with members of the Diaspora, used the opportunity to raise his party’s concerns with the US State Department, as it relates to the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, the Guyana Government, Synergy Holdings Inc. and Sithe Global.This was confirmed by party leader, Raphael Trotman, who in an interview with this newspaper yesterday said that the AFC continues to monitor perturbing developments as regards the two companies, and the possible ramifications should the concerns prove to be justifiable.Trotman indicated that they were not formal complaints that were made to the US State Department, but informal discussions on pertinent issues in an effort to bring to the attention of the officials, “some of these outlandish cases of incompetence that border on corruption and corrupt practices.”The AFC leader lauded the media for giving the national issue its deserved prominence.“This is a clear case of the press being a better watchdog that the politicians,” Trotman opined, adding that despite what some may fool themselves into thinking, the concerns raised about the two companies are very real among the populace. He noted that during a recent visit to the interior, residents were talking about the two projects – the access road construction and the hydroelectric facility.Trotman said that persons are interested in the unanswered issues raised,Air Max Wholesale Ireland, particularly by this newspaper, and are looking forward to updates. He said that this is the case not only in the interior but also on the coast.“The politicians will do what they can, but it is good to see the public becoming aware…every time Kaieteur News or another media house publishes something you would be amazed at what is being said on the ground…the issues are permeating throughout the country.”Contrary to views expressed by several entities, this newspaper has made it clear that is by no means against a project which will be of immense benefit for Guyana. Questions have mainly been put to the authorities about the many unsettling inconsistencies and secretive nature as it relates to important information about the project.Sithe Global, the company slated to build the Hydro-electric plant at Amaila Falls, is also constructing one of the most controversial and expensive hydro-electric projects in the world namely the Bujagali plant in Uganda.That project cost went up from the original budget of $500M to $860M, with indications that it may hit the $1B mark as a result of high interest rates and other factors.According to the Bank Information Centre, “A Ugandan government document projects that the 250 MW Bujagali hydroelectric power station will in fact raise power costs despite claims by the project sponsor, Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), that power tariffs would decrease once Bujagali becomes operational.Synergy Holdings Inc and its Owner/President Makeswar Fip Motilall also have a plethora of baggage.Synergy Holdings Inc Head Office address is listed on the website as 951 Sansbury’s Way, Suite 204 West Palm Beach, Florida, in the United States of America.That address is also listed for Synergy Energy Solutions, Inc. Both companies list on their website that they are building a hydro power plant in Guyana, despite the fact that Executive Director of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Ltd, Winston Brassington, has already clarified that Sithe Global will be undertaking the project.This newspaper visited the address listed at the Head Office only to realize that it is located in a Shopping Plaza and in the identified suite 204, Hindu religious paraphernalia (pooja) and garments are sold there.Identified on a business card for Liberty Foods International Grocery Store is Fip Motilall and that business is at Unit 203, 951 Sansbury’s Way, Suite 204 West Palm Beach, Florida, meaning that the two businesses operated by Motilall sit side by side in the Shopping Plaza.The office in Guyana was only this year refurbished and is now operational.The earliest mention of Synergy Holdings Inc. is in the State of Minnesota, USA in 1997.In a press conference held at the Tower Hotel in Georgetown on July 24, 2006, Prime Minister Hinds noted that Motilall had been working with a number of North American partners as early as 1996 to pursue a hydropower development at Amaila Falls to supply the local electricity grid.Motilall is the owner of a number of companies some of which have failed or inactive.Motilall was also Chairman of a committee to build a Mandir in his Palm Beach community of Florida and this is yet to be done two years later. |
