We have long heard about the resumption of operations at the Apollo Bramwell hospital by the Omega Ark Company and the gray areas surrounding this affair.
The more we look into it, the more we discover a real whiff of scandal.
Following the dismantling of the BAI empire, which brought together no less than 126 entities, the jewelry of the Rawat empire was put up for sale. This is how one got rid of Courts, Iframac, BAI Insurance and Bramer Bank among others.
Then followed the sale of the Apollo Bramwell Hospital. There was a call for tenders and 3 firms showed interest:
- Ciel Healthcare
- Lenmed [from South Africa]
- Omega Ark.
In the bid evaluation exercise Omega Ark came third, but was the only company that offered to buy out the building and operations – all for a sum of Rs.2.2 billion.
So Omega Ark’s offer was considered the most interesting. Until then, everything was clear.
But along the way, there was a change, and not a small one. The purchase option was put aside and we opted for a Management Contract of Rs.650 million.
Decision which postponed indefinitely the reimbursement of savers of the BAI’s Super Cash Back Gold – reimbursement which was to be made through the sale of Apollo Bramwell.
Is the British group Omega Ark just a shell company?
According to L’Express, it is someone close to the government majority operating in the offshore sector who is behind the preferred bidder for the takeover of Apollo Bramwell. He was allegedly operating on behalf of a family member of a VVIP at the government house.
Could this be another Medpoint? (Paul Bérenger dixit)
According to information available on the internet, the Omega Ark Company was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2012.
Minister V. Lutchmeenaraidoo, at the height of the storm of the SBM loan for the purchase of its gold bars, had this sentence … “I don’t have an account in Hong Kong..”
Coming back to Omega Ark, there were several changes until the incorporation of the company Omega Ark Healthcare Investments in Mauritius on October 29, 2015 with a capital of Rs.50,000.00.
Even before signing an agreement with Omega Ark, the latter had access to the Apollo Bramwell Hospital and allowed itself to change the name of the hospital.
Following a parliamentary question from the Leader of the Opposition, we learned the following facts:
- The government had decided not to sell Apollo Bramwell’s assets so as not to burden the NIC’s accounts – the reasons are unclear.
- Omega Ark had not paid a single penny to the NIC, but already had a foothold in the hospital and was offering new employment contracts to staff.
- Omega Ark does not have proven experience in managing healthcare establishments
An independent investigation is required to shed light on this whole dark affair.
A.J.
