Heather Robinson

In recent weeks, many questions have been asked about the Sandals Whitehouse hotel. But there are many that have not been asked and answered.

Did you know that the joint venture company (Ackendown Newtown Development Company), conceptualised to build the hotel in 2000, has as its main shareholders government entities, the Urban Development Corporation, and the National Investment Bank of Jamaica? Did you know that the third main shareholder is Gorstew Limited, the company of the former chairman of Air Jamaica, the Honourable Gordon 'Butch' Stewart?

And there are others who want to know how the construction of this hotel has affected the people of Whitehouse and indeed the entire parish of Westmoreland.

So much has been written, and so much more has been said about the cost of building this hotel that was started by 'Butch' Stewart's Gorstew Limited in October 1998, and "aborted in December 1998 due to the inability of Gorstew to finance the project at that time" (forensic audit report). But what is it about this hotel that has created so much interest?

Elaborate designs

In September 2005, I spent two nights at Sandals Whitehouse. This is truly a beautiful property that is nestled within the natural vegetation of Whitehouse.

The forensic audit report that was tabled by the Prime Minister on Tuesday states that several '"designs, standards and specifications at Sandals Whitehouse have turned out to be far more elaborate than those at Beaches Negril and the French Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos."

Here are two examples: "The design of the swimming pools, hardscaping and landscaping at Sandals Whitehouse, are more elaborate and is of higher level finishes than those at Beaches Turks and Caicos."

Secondly, "The interior design of the rooms, central facilities and the departure lounge at Sandals Whitehouse are of a higher standard than those at Beaches Turks and Caicos. The rooms have no balconies at Beaches Turks andCaicos". Four other examples are given.

The report further stated that '"the level of finishing of the hotel lends it to being described as well above average and into the upscale property range".

Next Tuesday, the Public Accounts Committee is scheduled to examine the reports from the Contractor General and the forensic audit.

Should this committee of Parliament also look at how the lives of the persons who have received employment have changed along with the shop owners, farmers and transport operators of Westmoreland?

Persons of integrity

But all of these answers and many more, need to be provided by persons with the information. Who are these persons, and who from the group will be willing to sit inside Gordon House and subject themselves to the most rigorous questioning of the Public Accounts Committee chaired by the Opposition's spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw?

There is no doubt that this project has been an expensive one, but in the words of the audit team, "the hotel project has succeeded in enhancing the development of the region and should be successful in encouraging future development of the area. Only time will tell!"

And it is only time that will tell who among those with the information will prove to be deserving of being referred to as 'honourable'.

Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.