Submitted by Check-This-Out
Just came across an article dated November 17, 2011 in Caribbean 360. The following is from the article “Harlequin Hotels restarts Barbados development amid fraud claims”
“Commenting on the developments Ames said, “It is fantastic to have both sites moving ahead quickly now. We are very committed to continued significant investment in Barbados and we are grateful that the interim concessions were finally approved by the Hon. Minister Sinckler and his team at the Department of Finance. This has allowed us to immediately resume works and will result in the creation of up to 200 construction jobs between both projects. Although Harlequin Developments have resumed work on both projects, we are still awaiting approval of the concessions package under the TDA for the luxury boutique hotel H Barbados.”
Garrett Ronan, Harlequin Hotels and Resorts Vice President of Hotel and Resort Development, commented, “We are working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance to expedite these concessions and we are hopeful they can be issued this week. This would help us get H Barbados back on schedule for completion in November 2012, despite the recent delays. We are very appreciative of the recent approval granted by the Hon. Christopher Sinckler and his team, which has allowed us to move swiftly with The Merricks Resort Show Village. As a gesture of good faith, we also resumed work on H Barbados, but we do urgently need approval on the standard concessions to keep things moving there.”
Concessions? – What Concessions? 200 construction jobs? H Hotel completion in November 2012? Gesture of Good Faith? Have Sinckler and Sealy been drinking the Harlequin Kool Aid too? Is Government (taxpayers) funding The Merricks Show Village (two houses and a guard hut)?
Is there no one in this Government, or the previous administration under whose watch this Merricks business got started back 2005-2007, who verifies the promoters bona fides, i.e. confirms evidence of the history, qualifications or ability to perform, of these overseas promoters (and local promoters)?
Are approvals, permits and concessions based on detailed background checks and analysis of sound business plans, or on the size of the promoters’ campaign donations and other favours.
Taxpayers (who pay their taxes) want to know about the concessions made to Cost-U-Less; who is building and will open a store that (theoretically at least) will increase competition and give consumers another alternative to reduce or maintain food costs.
Taxpayers (who pay their taxes) want to know the details of the concessions and and the amount of their money that has been thrown at Pemberton et al, for the decaying white elephant known as Four Seasons.
Taxpayers (who pay their taxes) should be told the details of the concessions given to Harlequin – and of the political donations received from Harlequin by both parties.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.