KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Government has rescinded its approval for the sale of 96.5 acres of land at a section of the Success Estate in Rose Hall, St James, known as North Estate, to Celebrate Jamaica Limited for US$40.1 million.

According to Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, this resulted from the entity’s failure to execute certain prerequisites for the property’s development as an integrated resort, incorporating a casino, among other things.

He was speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday at Jamaica House, hosted by Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Ruel Reid.

Bartlett indicated that Celebrate Jamaica was given a six-month timeline within which to carry out certain undertakings which “did not happen.”     

Consequently, he said the Administration “took the right decision” to rescind the arrangement.

“The Government takes a position that in every element of the divestment of its assets, there has to be a performance criterion that is established. So, if you are given a timeline within which to perform against whatever the undertaking is and that timeline is not met, then we simply act appropriately…and that was the case here,” the minister explained.

Bartlett said the property is in “great demand,” adding that he is scheduled to meet with several interests who are keen on investing in its development.

“Jamaica’s tourism product is hot on the market and the demand for investments (within) the last six months…has just simply been phenomenal,” he noted.