Reports handed in on 'Splashmin's' resort
THE Lands and Surveys Department has submitted two reports to the Agriculture Ministry on the `Splashmin's Fun Park and Resort' being built at Madewini on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway by businessman, Mr Lennox John. Agriculture Minister, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud is looking into the matter, the Chronicle was told yesterday. The Lands and Surveys Department, which had turned down John's application for a lease since the inception of his project, handed over reports to the minister last Friday and Monday, sources said. John, also owner of Ashmin's Trading in the city, opened part of the resort to the public Sunday and said permission to grant him the lease is in the processing stage and almost completed. He said he received permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST) to commence construction. John does not yet have a lease for some 13 acres of State land and more than 135 acres of swamp at Madewini where he is putting up the $600M resort. During a media tour of the complex last Thursday, he admitted that he did not get official permission but moved on to State land more than two years ago, and began building the tourism resort. The project, which began in 1997, is being done in phases over a five-year period, according to a background document. Phases one to four are nearing completion and these include dredging mud and vegetation and compacting sand to create a man-made beach stretching some 800 feet. Contacted yesterday, a spokesperson for the EPA said John was given an Environmental Permit in December, 1999. The permit, in which there are terms and conditions for safeguarding the environment, basically stipulates that John maintains and regulates the creeks and banks within the concession he has been given. He should ensure that there are no adverse effects on water quality in the area and there should be proper disposal of waste from the resort. The EPA spokesperson said John is expected to carry out an environmental audit every three years and prepare a contingency plan. (SHARON LALL)
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