‘Ready and willing’ Danville Walker responds to PAAC’s conflict of interest concerns

Walker currently straddles the position of chairman of both the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited.

This, according to the PAAC chairman Dr Wykeham McNeill, suggests an inherent conflict given the government’s recent development approval of the controversial 5,300-acre Greater Bernard Lodge Development Programme and NEPA being responsible for conducting the  Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.

The multi-billion dollar project will be done in the constituency of St Catherine South and according to its long-standing Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson, who sits on the PAAC, NEPA has over the years always rejected any development plan for that location because of the aquifers underneath it.

However, in statement to the media this afternoon Walker noted that approvals were already granted when he took over as interim chairman of NEPA.

“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,” Walker said.

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

i. “The 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 organizational
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.”