AG Williams reviews ‘Pradoville’ report for action, PPP claims fabrication  

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The report of the APNU-AFC’s Asset Recovery Unit into the housing development scheme at Sparendaam, East Coast, Demerara, referred to as “Pradoville 2” is currently being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers.  The Unit reportedly commended that charges be instituted against former President Bharrat Jagdeo and several government ministers who were among those purchased plots in the scheme.

Attorney General Basil Williams says that he has no authority to institute criminal changes but is examining the possibility of civil charges being pursued.

The APNU-AFC Asset  Recovery Unit recommending action/charges in relation to the procedures used by the former PPP ministers, state functionaries and professionals to acquire the house lots. The document claims that the plots were sold below market price and there were breach of procedures in various transactions.  

The Opposition PPP today weighed in on the matter stating that the “government is hoping that by diverting the public’s attention away from itself and the obnoxious salary increase doled out to its Ministers, el at; and further, by shifting attention to the so-called Pradoville 2 inquisition by leaking the “results of the investigation and recommendations” by the shady and cabalistic Asset Recovery Unit, whose legality, composition and Terms of Reference remains a mystery, that they will succeed in re-focusing the public’s attention from itself and the current morass to the fabricated Pradoville 2 Nancy story.

It is also claimed by the political appointed unit that the lands were transferred with several conditions which stated that failure to comply will result in penalties by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). However, sources close to the CHPA are disputing this pointing to documents which showed that permission was granted by the CHPA  in according with the CH&PA Act for sale/transfer of the plots including third party transactions.

Persons who have acquired housing plots in the area include former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Ministers Priya Manichand, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud, Shaik Baksh and Jennifer Westford,  Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar (daughter of former President Ramotar), former Chief of Staff and current Presidential Advisor Admiral Gary Best, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, privates sector head Ramesh Dookhoo, former President of the CDB Compton Bourne, Dr. Ghansham Singh and Kamini Parag-Singh, Florrie Loretta Ramnauth, Raj Singh, , Andrew Bishop, Safraaz Khan, George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc.

The report sent to the AG Chambers was reportedly leaked to sections of the media.

The AG is also suggesting that the Unit sends its report to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A former APNU MP who is associated with the Unit has also challenged the sale of the housing plots in Pradoville 2 and Pradoville 1. There are several ex-government ministers and professionals who have purchased and developed using plots at Pradoville 1 or Goedverwagting, East Coast, Demerara.

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