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FM
Former Member

Govt signs deal to continue building Specialty Hospital

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan [left) and Fedders Lloyd's representative, Ajay Jha, signing the Memorandum of Understanding to build the Specialty Hospital Finance Minister, Winston Jordan (left) and Fedders Lloyd's representative, Ajay Jha, signing the Memorandum of Understanding to build the Specialty Hospital

The Guyana government Wednesday formally agreed to go ahead with the construction of the Specialty Hospital, saying that India has persuaded it to do so.

"The Government of India (GOI) in its response, while indicating its no objection and support for the modernization of Primary Healthcare Facilities suggested that GOG should consider salvaging the Specialty Hospital, as it will complement primary healthcare facilities in Guyana.

GOG (Government of Guyana) having examined the merits of the proposal began searching for a willing partner to complete the Specialty Hospital using the remainder of the LOC (Line of Credit)," said the Finance Ministry in a statement.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fedders Lloyd that will see works restarting on the construction of the Specialty Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

No new invitation for bids has been issued and so the deal was awarded to Fedders Lloyd without passing through the Procurement and Tendering system.

Citing time constraints, the Finance Ministry said it hand-picked the Indian company, Fedders Lloyd, to continue the project. "In the interest of time, Government approached Fedders Lloyd - one of the original bidders -to explore the possibility of them completing the project. Fedders Lloyd expressed continued interest and was prepared to complete and fully equip the facility."

Fedders Lloyd's interests had at one time been represented by now Minister of Public Security, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan while he and his Alliance For Change (AFC) had been in the political opposition.

Fedders Lloyd had been sending one of its senior officials, Ajay Jha, to Guyana frequently during the last administration and this one to lobby for the deal to build the facility at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
"Fedders Lloyd in entering this MOU with the Government of Guyana (GOG) will review the works already started; conclude a design of the Hospital that is acceptable to the GOG; and commit to fully equip the facility on completion of its construction. Fedders Lloyd also undertakes to commence work on the facility immediately following the signing of the MOU," said the ministry.
Work on the Specialty Hospital was halted after allegations of impropriety and fraud were leveled against the contractor who won the bid for its construction in 2012.
The then government terminated the contract and proceeded to Court to seek remedies. The Court ruled in favour of Government and the construction of the facility came to a standstill. The future of the Line of Credit (LOC) was threatened.
The Finance Ministry explained that following the APNU+AFC government's accession to office, it reviewed the project and concluded that since there was no existing contract that could be enforced, it was impractical to continue to keep the LOC in its existing form, especially since it was attracting commitment fees.
Government therefore requested EXIM Bank of India to cancel the LOC for the Specialty Hospital and to reallocate the balance of funds to a project to modernize three Primary Healthcare Facilities.
At a simple signing today, Minister Jordan said, "The signing of the MOU represents a tangible expression of Fedders Lloyd interest and commitment to move the project forward."
He added that, "The MOU is also testament to Government's commitment to advancing health care delivery in Guyana."
He also restated the Government of India's approval of an additional LOC for the upgrade and modernizing of Suddie and Bartica hospitals and the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Signing on behalf of Fedders Lloyd was Mr. Ajay Jha.
He thanked the GOG for the opportunity to work on the project, but more especially, to work Guyana.
He further remarked that, "The Specialty hospital will be a model not only for Guyana but the rest of the Caribbean."
The Specialty Hospital is intended to cater for high risk surgeries and other health care demands.

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Several things are of concern here. Why the rush to move forward with this project. Let it be debated in the National Assembly And by Guyanese. Where is the transparency? Second, why was the procurement process not followed? This government talked about doing things differently but it is not.  The reasons they gave seems contrived. It is not like there is a shortage of companies able to do this project. Third, the previous government mentioned that the speciality hospital would complement the primary care network but was soundly criticized by the coalition. Now, the coalition has decided to proceed with the project for the same reason. Fourth, Ramjattan was employed by this company to represent this company in the dispute over the first tender and contract. Was this project revival discussed in cabinet and did he participate in that discussion? If it were not discussed in Cabinet, why not? Did Jordan proceed on his own initiative or did he have presidential or Harmon' approval? Was Moses involved in this decision? Why not? He is supposed to be responible for internal matters.

Z
Originally Posted by Zed:

Several things are of concern here. Why the rush to move forward with this project. Let it be debated in the National Assembly And by Guyanese. Where is the transparency? Second, why was the procurement process not followed? This government talked about doing things differently but it is not.  The reasons they gave seems contrived. It is not like there is a shortage of companies able to do this project. Third, the previous government mentioned that the speciality hospital would complement the primary care network but was soundly criticized by the coalition. Now, the coalition has decided to proceed with the project for the same reason. Fourth, Ramjattan was employed by this company to represent this company in the dispute over the first tender and contract. Was this project revival discussed in cabinet and did he participate in that discussion? If it were not discussed in Cabinet, why not? Did Jordan proceed on his own initiative or did he have presidential or Harmon' approval? Was Moses involved in this decision? Why not? He is supposed to be responible for internal matters.

Excellent and well thought out questions Zed.  I would love to know the answers myself.  Though I think I can make an intelligent guess to a few of the answers.

Bibi Haniffa
Originally Posted by Zed:

Several things are of concern here. Why the rush to move forward with this project. Let it be debated in the National Assembly And by Guyanese. Where is the transparency? Second, why was the procurement process not followed? This government talked about doing things differently but it is not.  The reasons they gave seems contrived. It is not like there is a shortage of companies able to do this project. Third, the previous government mentioned that the speciality hospital would complement the primary care network but was soundly criticized by the coalition. Now, the coalition has decided to proceed with the project for the same reason. Fourth, Ramjattan was employed by this company to represent this company in the dispute over the first tender and contract. Was this project revival discussed in cabinet and did he participate in that discussion? If it were not discussed in Cabinet, why not? Did Jordan proceed on his own initiative or did he have presidential or Harmon' approval? Was Moses involved in this decision? Why not? He is supposed to be responible for internal matters.

This government is like a bunch of crooks and dictators. They are shameless.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by redux:

I look forward to hearing more of the business model governing the operation of this taxpayer built facility given that medical tourism ain't happening in any of our lifetimes

I don't expect this government to be any different than the previous one. After all, they are all politicians in pursuit of the same thing, personal gratifications. 

FM
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Zed:

Several things are of concern here. Why the rush to move forward with this project. Let it be debated in the National Assembly And by Guyanese. Where is the transparency? Second, why was the procurement process not followed? This government talked about doing things differently but it is not.  The reasons they gave seems contrived. It is not like there is a shortage of companies able to do this project. Third, the previous government mentioned that the speciality hospital would complement the primary care network but was soundly criticized by the coalition. Now, the coalition has decided to proceed with the project for the same reason. Fourth, Ramjattan was employed by this company to represent this company in the dispute over the first tender and contract. Was this project revival discussed in cabinet and did he participate in that discussion? If it were not discussed in Cabinet, why not? Did Jordan proceed on his own initiative or did he have presidential or Harmon' approval? Was Moses involved in this decision? Why not? He is supposed to be responible for internal matters.

This government is like a bunch of crooks and dictators. They are shameless.

oh u poor boy

FM
Originally Posted by warrior:
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Zed:

Several things are of concern here. Why the rush to move forward with this project. Let it be debated in the National Assembly And by Guyanese. Where is the transparency? Second, why was the procurement process not followed? This government talked about doing things differently but it is not.  The reasons they gave seems contrived. It is not like there is a shortage of companies able to do this project. Third, the previous government mentioned that the speciality hospital would complement the primary care network but was soundly criticized by the coalition. Now, the coalition has decided to proceed with the project for the same reason. Fourth, Ramjattan was employed by this company to represent this company in the dispute over the first tender and contract. Was this project revival discussed in cabinet and did he participate in that discussion? If it were not discussed in Cabinet, why not? Did Jordan proceed on his own initiative or did he have presidential or Harmon' approval? Was Moses involved in this decision? Why not? He is supposed to be responible for internal matters.

This government is like a bunch of crooks and dictators. They are shameless.

oh u poor boy

Mits is in hiding on this thread.

FM

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

FM
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gill...your insight seems to point to a sinister move by APNU.

Django
Originally Posted by Django:
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gill...your insight seems to point to a sinister move by APNU.

i couldn't disagree more

 

the gov't of India seems to be driving this train, and APNU-AFC is too timid to put its foot down

 

remember, the initial signal by the coalition was that the remaining LOC funds go to the regional hospitals while the specialty hospital was backburnered . . . the respective emphases are now flipped!

 

if there is some defining, dark move to sabotage the coalition/dump Khemraj Ramjattan, this cannot be it; in fact, Fedders LLoyd's key preferred role, points to the very opposite

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gil

 

I always look forward to reading your insightful and balanced analysis on certain issues.

FM
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gil

 

I always look forward to reading your insightful and balanced analysis on certain issues.

Thank you, Your Excellency, but please be advised that I shall never endorse the PPP as long as that crookish Jagdeoite cabal is running the show at Freedom House.

I am enjoying the freedom to criticize my coalition government without fear of retaliation. So it must be.

FM
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gil

 

I always look forward to reading your insightful and balanced analysis on certain issues.

Thank you, Your Excellency, but please be advised that I shall never endorse the PPP as long as that crookish Jagdeoite cabal is running the show at Freedom House.

I am enjoying the freedom to criticize my coalition government without fear of retaliation. So it must be.

Gil,

 

I do not envy you. Freedumb House needs reform,it will come. Patience is the key. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Good spin for the blind.

FM
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:
Originally Posted by yuji22:
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:

Redux, thanks for starting this thread. I like your title "Folly!!" but my title would have been "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward".

As a supporter of the coalition government, I am embarrassed at the recurring missteps it has taken the past 6 months.

It seems as if APNU+AFC loves controversy and is deliberately provoking the masses. How could supposedly intelligent people be so glaringly stupid?

In this particular specialty hospital deal, something smells obnoxious and it comes from the fact that Khemraj Ramjattan was Fedders Lloyd's lawyer. President Granger knows that.

Is the government setting up Mr Ramjattan for hostile attacks from the political opposition, the mass media and civil society?

Is there a hidden agenda to create the conditions to dump Ramjattan from the Cabinet?

APNU strategists know that the AFC cannot now leave the coalition because it will be "dead meat" among the masses, particularly among the embittered Indo community. Are they calculating that they could safely dispense with Ramjattan soon and still hold the coalition until 2020?

Only the other day I commented that Ramjattan may or may not remain Public Security/Home Affairs Minister by next Diwali. The government's signals don't augur well for the AFC and Ramjattan who most likely will be the first casualty.

Gil

 

I always look forward to reading your insightful and balanced analysis on certain issues.

Thank you, Your Excellency, but please be advised that I shall never endorse the PPP as long as that crookish Jagdeoite cabal is running the show at Freedom House.

I am enjoying the freedom to criticize my coalition government without fear of retaliation. So it must be.

Gil,

 

I do not envy you. Freedumb House needs reform,it will come. Patience is the key. 

Too many old folks at the top.

Mitwah

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