Georgetown businessman Vic Oditt is floating the idea of establishing a 200-bedroom hotel and casino, possibly of a four-star standard, at Pirara Ranch in Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/ Upper Takutu), which would represent the biggest tourist property for The Rupununi in the southern area of Guyana. This region has a land area of approximately 30,000 square miles of mountains, savannahs, forests and swampy lowlands intersected by numerous creeks and rivers. The Rupununi is considered to be one of Guyana's most remote areas and, until recently, a hazardous trail linked some of the more developed settlements with the capital city Georgetown. Access was mainly by an irregularly scheduled and relatively expensive air service. Consequently very little attention was given to planning and executing tangible social and economic development programmes in the Rupununi.

The project would have to await the passage of legislation for the operation of casinos locally. According to reports, Oditt met with around a dozen people at the Savannah Inn on Monday and presented his "vision" of a casino operating in the area. Those represented were the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD), the administration of the Regional Democratic Council, ranchers and "one or two residents".

Oditt could not be reached yesterday for further details on his plan as he was still in the Rupununi. He presented a seven-minute video of the projections for the casino, which has attracted the interest of investors from Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, the USA and the United Kingdom. The casino would target customers from Brazil, Venezuela, other South American destinations and the USA. The plan, which includes a golf course packaged with gambling and a blend of eco-tourism, was not documented so the businessmen who were the main audience asked that Oditt put his plans in writing.

Contacted about the meeting at which he was present, RCCI Past-President, Alfred Ramsarran said that Oditt spoke of the benefits of the project for residents in Region Nine. He said that not everyone was in favour of the project and noted the need to weigh the pros and cons. Ramsarran said there was general agreement that the people of Region Nine comprising 53 Amerindian villages would have to be widely consulted. The casino project, he said would require adequate modes of transportation. Oditt's suggestion at the meeting was that the Lethem Airstrip could be improved to international standards and roads built to access the casino.

He assured residents that he had the government's blessing and that the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir knew of the proposed project for the Pirara Ranch, which was managed at one time by the Livestock Industry Development Company (LIDCO). Local MP Shirley Melville endorsed Ramsarran's sentiments that there needs to be broad-based consultations and legislation would have to be passed before the plans get off the ground. She said that for some time now rumours had reverberated about the establishment of a casino in the region and residents had expressed concerns over gambling. When Oditt mooted the subject with her, she said that she advised him to meet with the people including the Toshaos in the region. Oditt circulated two copies of the draft bill for the operationalising of casinos at the meeting. Melville said that as a Member of Parliament she was not aware that copies of the draft bill were in circulation for discussion.
(E-12.15.05)

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