By: Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
WATER STREET, GEORGETOWN — Former Mayor Ubraj Narine has lobbed a political grenade into the ongoing standoff over the City Constabulary Training Complex, alleging that the government’s recent seizure of the building is the culmination of a long-standing, failed attempt to secure the prime waterfront property for a “politically connected” individual at a fraction of its market value.
As the building remains under the guard of RK Security Service and a government “No Trespassing” sign, Narine revealed that during his tenure, he was directly pressured by a senior PPP/C Minister to bypass municipal protocols.
The $1.6M vs. $6.5M “Shakedown.”
Narine’s most explosive claim involves a high-stakes disagreement over leasing terms for the Water Street asset during the last five years.
- The Fair Bid: According to the former Mayor, the property was legally put up for bid, and a legitimate winner emerged with a $6.5 million-per-month lease offer.
- The Pressure: Narine alleges a Minister from the Ministry of Local Government called him personally, demanding that the property be handed over to a specific individual for only $1.6 million per month.
- The Refusal: Narine says his response to the Minister was blunt: “Don’t take your eyes and pass me.” He refused to undervalue the city asset, a move he believes painted a target on the building for future seizure.
A Breach of Municipal Policy
The controversy is being weighed against the City Asset Management Policy signed by Narine during his term. That policy was designed to prevent exactly what is happening today:
- Strict Oversight: Applications for city assets must be in writing and reviewed by the Investment and Development Committee.
- No Ownership via Lease: The policy explicitly states that no lease, regardless of its length, grants ownership rights.
- No Unauthorized Transfers: Subletting or transferring city assets without full Council approval is strictly prohibited.
“It is a waterfront property… it is a good investment. Give the city the investment. Let the city make money! You cannot just come and take City Council property like you did with the Marriott Hotel.” — Former Mayor Ubraj Narine
The “Marriott” Comparison
Narine drew a parallel between the current situation and the construction of the Marriott Hotel, claiming the government previously “took away” a local pool to facilitate that project, leaving the municipality with “zero” benefits. He warned that the “immediate development” promised by the new sign on the Constabulary building is likely a cover for another central government project that will bypass the city’s treasury.
Conclusion: A Waterfront Tug-of-War
With Mayor Alfred Mentore currently barred from his own building, the “No Trespassing” sign has become a symbol of the total breakdown in relations between the M&CC and the Ministry of Local Government. If Narine’s claims of ministerial pressure are proven, it shifts the narrative from “urban development” to “political retribution.” For now, the prime waterfront real estate sits in a legal and physical limbo, guarded by private security while the city’s lawyers prepare their next move.
