Dear Editor,

It has come to my attention that the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) of the House of Representatives has expressed concerns regarding my chairmanship of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH) viz the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan.

In the truest spirit of corporate governance and transparency, the facts must be shared with all:

i. NEPA was directed by Cabinet in 2017 to complete the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan. NEPA is an executive agency in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with its own organisational structure.

ii. On diverse dates between June and July 2017, SCJH and NEPA deliberated/negotiated the cost to complete the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan.

iii. I was appointed as chairman of NEPA in April 2016. I joined the SCJH’s board of directors on April 3, 2018 and was appointed interim chairman on February 1, 2019. The Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan was approved by Cabinet Decision No 9/18 on March 12, 2018. Take very careful note of the dates. I joined SCJH after all matters touching and concerning the finalisation of the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan were concluded.

I take serious matters of corporate governance, hence my hastened steps to disclose the facts. I will go further to indicate that if at any time the PAAC requires my attendance to advise on the foregoing, I am ready and willing to comply.

Danville Walker

Chairman

SCJ Holdings Limited

sugar@scjholdings.gov.jm