PNC denied application for House debate on Beal
by Michelle Elphage
THE Speaker of the National Assembly on Monday denied an application by the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) to raise the Beal Aerospace deal for debate, as a matter of urgent public importance. According to Speaker, Mr Derek Jagan, the reasons listed for the application did not subscribe to the Standing Orders (the House's guidelines) and therefore he could not allow it. But Prime Minister Sam Hinds in an explanation to the Parliament said that the Beal Aerospace rocket launch site investment in Guyana is just what the country needs to improve its image. The Prime Minister assured that the negotiations between the Government and the American firm were being done in the best interests of the country and said that interval consultations will continue with the opposition and other interest groups on the deal. The Government also plans to hold a presentation which will be open to the public, when the agreement will be presented as it is at that stage. "Our Government maintains that position that we would not be getting into any agreement with any intention that those agreements would be secret. They would be laid in Parliament as soon as it is totally consummated," the Prime Minister assured. "There are also a number of people who quite understandably have been expressing some caution and want to be reassured that we are taking all national interests into consideration." The Government has agreed to sell 26,010 acres of land to Beal Aerospace Technologies of Texas, USA to set up a satellite space project in the Waini district, North West. Initial investment in this programme is estimated at US$50M. But Mr Hinds said, if for the first five years there is no development of the area for a rocket launch site then the land will be reverted to the Government and the money paid will be reimbursed. "In this time of start-up when there may be 20 companies altogether trying to get into the business, it is always possible, and we thought it prudent, to take the protection that if for commercial reasons or any other reason, Beal does not proceed, then the situation would be reversed," the Prime Minister explained. Mr Hinds disclosed too that if subsequent to five years there is any other use of the area, then the Government's permission is required, and the administration will also have the option of refusing any further sale of the land beyond five years. "We think that that arrangement seeks to balance the concerns of Guyana and Guyanese and the need of the investment," the Prime Minister reassured. The further 76,000 acres of land in the area, referred to as the buffer zone will be granted as an "easement" to Beal. He said there were long discussions as to whether there should be a sale or a lease of the land. They eventually agreed to a sale with conditions. An area of ten acres of this amount is for the remote tracking site and the remainder for the primary site. The Government is expected to benefit in several areas including fees for every satellite launch and for administration, and employment of Guyanese.
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