Letter of the Day | Vision for Port Royal’s sustainable development
Published:Tuesday | September 12, 2023 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Yesterday was September 11 and I woke up very early in a reflective but positive mood and wish to share my thoughts with you and your readers.
In 2001, the events that unfolded on 9/11 had a significant negative impact on the plans a number of us private-sector investors had for the sustainable development of Port Royal, as it caused us, along with the Government of Jamaica at the time, to decide to withdraw temporarily from proceeding with the development until the international environment for investment in a venture of this nature improved.
Since that time, the investment environment has improved significantly. But we have been plagued by a series of governments that have not seen or bought into the vision of having a public-private partnership (PPP) implement the sustainable development concerning the potential of presenting our Jamaican culture in all its fabulous forms to the world via Port Royal as the gateway for our historic triangle, including Kingston and Spanish Town.
I also reflect on the fact that several of my partners who were passionate in sharing this vision have departed this life, including Peter Bangerter, Dr Neil Johnson, Maurice Facey, Richard Fontaine, Maurice Stoppi, Francis ‘Paco’ Kennedy, Peter Rousseau, Paul Breen, Victor Rhone, Lois Sherwood, and most recently Michael Campbell, who was the past chairman of Port Royal Development Company Limited.
In spite of all of this, I remain positive as we expect our case before the courts to right the injustice of the actions of the current administration to abandon our PPP and decide to embark on a development focused on a cruise ship pier, instead of the comprehensive development of the town and people of Port Royal.
Power, arrogance, self-aggrandisement and greed cannot be the driving forces that lead to sustainable development. A focus on community development and the lifting of the standards of living of the people in the area of the planned development with their full involvement must be the approach.
More anon.
ROBERT STEPHENS
Director
Port Royal Development Company