THE state-run Urban Development Corporation (UDC) was instructed Tuesday by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to move with all haste to correct the problem of falling coral stones at the controversial Sandals Whitehouse Hotel, before harm is done to any visitor.

“These concerns must be addressed with alacrity in the interest of Jamaica,” said interim PAC chairman, Mike Henry, after hearing reports from representatives of Sandals Resorts which manages the hotel, about the cracked and falling coral stones.

Henry stressed that Jamaica could not afford any reports that falling stones had injured any guest at the hotel and urged the UDC team at the hearing to put in writing what they would be doing in this respect.

Henry also asked Sandals to document what they wanted to be done immediately on the hotel to prevent any disaster that would hurt Jamaica’s tourism.

Sandals chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, appearing for the second time before the PAC, complained to the hearing that the hotel had been faced with several problems arising from poor workmanship and a problematic sewage plant, a failed water proofing system and falling coral stone moldings.

“The moldings are falling off everywhere, these are large pieces of concrete which have fallen in some cases from three storeys high. The potential for injury to guests and staff is eminent,” Stewart said with urgency.

Supporting Stewart, Jeremy Jones, the general manager of the Sandals Whitehouse hotel, told the committee that “the cash register on this project is still running as the resort is not yet finished”.

Jones’ list of unfinished items included: non-installation of acoustic panelling and lighting fixtures in the cabaret, forcing the entertainers to perform “in an atmosphere akin to performing in a cave”; non-provision of the specified furniture for the Bluefields Beach Bar and Grill, “which produces the best of Jamaica’s culinary offerings”; and non-provision of light fixtures to illuminate the staircase leading to the outlet in the Casablanca martini bar.

“Our Grand Ballroom where we fete over 200 of our most loyal Sandals guests every week was so poorly wired we are unable to dim or brighten the room properly. The waste water treatment plant, while having absorbed many man hours in repairs, still leaks. Concrete moldings, which are affixed to the exterior of the buildings are becoming detached and present a clear and present danger to potential guests and staff moving around the property.

“Furniture continues to be repaired on an ongoing basis and the level of deterioration that we are experiencing is what would be expected of a seven-year-old hotel, not one that has been in operation for two years,” said Jones.

Stewart added that although the fault had been reported to Ackendown, the hotel’s joint venture management group, “nothing has been done to date”.

Responding, UDC architect Christopher Shaw said the corporation had been waiting on the arrival of the Florida contractor responsible for the molding work. He said the UDC was having problems contacting the contractor but had finally got agreement that he would come to the island to address the matter tomorrow (Friday).

“I would suggest we ensure there is an indemnification process which is implemented if the matter is not acted on by Friday because the threat to the visitors and the industry lies in this matter and I expect the UDC to exercise indemnity to the operators and or in relation to this matter and I think Friday is too late and you need to speed that up immediately,” chairman Henry further instructed the UDC.