Posts Tagged Bryan Cummings
I have no regrets, says Patterson
Posted by ShopinJA in Business News on September 6th, 2009
Former PM argues that Sabina Park, Trelawny stadium worthy investments
By HG HELPS Editor-at-Large Investigative Coverage Unit
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Retired Jamaica Prime Minister PJ Patterson speaking with the Sunday Observer last Friday at his St Andrew home. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
There has been much debate about Jamaica’s decision to build a new sports complex and upgrade another in time for the Cricket World Cup of 2007.
However, the man who had the final say regarding the implementation of both projects is insisting that work was done taking the best interest of Jamaica in mind, adding that he would do it again, if faced with a similar challenge.
Other Caribbean countries invested heavily in stadia, some of which have seen limited activity or action restricted to cricket.
The Jamaica Labour Party, which initially supported the idea of Jamaica hosting the World Cup, has since criticised the Patterson-led administration for extravagant spending on structural projects like the Trelawny stadium and Sabina Park, arguing that the money could have benefited health care and education.
Even Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Dr Omar Davies who was finance and planning minister in the Patterson administration, raised questions about the wisdom of Jamaica’s heavy financial input. Committee member Ronnie Thwaites, like Davies a People’s National Party member of parliament, was one of those suggesting that the Government at the time erred in spending so much on the World Cup.
It was no secret that Davies opposed the construction of the Trelawny stadium.
Patterson, however, is insisting that Jamaica will benefit in the long run and maintains that he did the right thing.
Trelawny MultiPurpose Complex
“We received the offer to host the World Cup in what was to be the last tournament of its kind in 2007,” said Patterson. “I say the last tournament because what the host country would get from the final earnings would not be available in subsequent tournaments. Future host countries will get a lesser share.
“When heads of governments were asked to do it, the proposal was that the cricketing authorities would do it and we were to provide the guarantees for the initial loan. The residual benefit, however, would be a substantial sum of money that would enable us to develop and sustain the growth of West Indies cricket.
“First of all, if the West Indies as a whole could not host the World Cup we would have to question our whole participation in the scheme of things. As time developed, it became clear that the cricket boards couldn’t do it by themselves, and in effect, either the governments had to do it or it wouldn’t be done at all. We had to take a decision,” he said.
Patterson, a senior lawyer, said that a decision was soon taken to concentrate first on Sabina Park and then find another location that would have long-term benefits for the people of western Jamaica.
