KINGSTON, Jamaica- In a damning report released Tuesday, Jamaica’s Integrity Commission has leveled serious charges against Estatebridge Holdings Limited, a real estate firm linked to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, for allegedly flouting building permit regulations at an upscale Kingston development.
The 63-page investigative report, tabled in the House of Representatives, details how the firm allegedly deviated from approved plans at 2 Weycliffe Close in Beverly Hills, Kingston 6. At the heart of the controversy lies what investigators say was a deliberate transformation of approved two-bedroom apartments into more lucrative four-bedroom townhouses.
The investigation has also cast a shadow over the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) for its oversight failures and implicated several high-profile figures, including Norman Brown, the Urban Development Corporation chairman and the prime minister’s real estate partner.
According to the Commission’s Director of Investigations (DI) Kevon Stephenson, while Estatebridge had secured proper initial approvals, subsequent construction violated the permit’s terms. “The DI finds that, in failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the building permit, section 17 (1) of the Building Act was breached,” the report states.
The investigation uncovered what appears to be a pattern of contradictory statements and potential deception. Most notably, the report cites “blatant attempts to mislead the Commission” by both Brown and Kennado Nesbeth, the contractor from KNN Designs and Consultants Limited.
The investigation’s timeline reveals a complex web of inconsistent testimonies. In a sworn statement on December 4, 2023, Brown candidly admitted to the four-bedroom configuration – an admission made when he wasn’t under scrutiny for permit violations. However, his story changed dramatically during a Judges’ Rules interview on October 31, 2024, after he became a suspect in the investigation.
Similarly, contractor Nesbeth’s testimony showed marked inconsistencies. The report notes that on July 12, 2024, Nesbeth verbally acknowledged permit deviations and mentioned ongoing efforts to rectify them. He later recanted this statement, adding another layer to what investigators describe as a troubling pattern of contradictions.
The report is particularly pointed in its assessment of intentionality: “The DI therefore further concludes that the breaches identified of the building permit on the part of Estate Bridge were deliberate.” This conclusion was bolstered by evidence that at least one director was aware of the four-bedroom configuration before Brown’s December 2023 testimony.
The investigation also implicates Nesbeth as a knowing participant in the violations. The report emphasizes his role, noting, “Mr. Nesbeth indicated that ‘I designed the building plan for the development for submission to the KSAMC. Each unit would consist of four habitable rooms, a pool on the split level, four bathrooms, a laundry and storage area.’”
Beyond the immediate players, the investigation takes aim at systemic failures within the KSAMC’s oversight mechanisms. Despite conducting three inspections that reportedly showed compliance, the Commission’s findings “belie this,” suggesting a breakdown in municipal oversight protocols.
The Commission’s recommendations cut deep into Jamaica’s construction oversight system, calling for sweeping reforms and enhanced accountability measures. In a direct challenge to the KSAMC, the report demands a comprehensive administrative review of its compliance mechanisms, including an assessment of technical officers’ competencies and post-permit monitoring capabilities.
“Serious consideration should be given to ensuring that the relevant processes are corruption-proof,” the report emphasizes, pointing to a need for systemic change rather than mere procedural adjustments.
The recommendations extend beyond municipal oversight, reaching into national policy territory. The Commission calls on both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Local Government and Community Development to spearhead sustainable development initiatives and introduce more stringent penalties for violations. Key among these proposed measures is the confiscation of profits derived from permit violations and temporary bans on developers who knowingly breach regulations.
In a bid to close existing loopholes, the report also advocates for enhanced coordination between the Registrar of Titles, Local Authorities, and other stakeholders to prevent the issuance of titles for non-compliant developments.
The investigation’s implications resonate beyond this single development, challenging Jamaica’s construction industry practices and regulatory framework. As the first major probe involving a sitting Prime Minister’s business interests in recent years, it raises questions about the intersection of political power and private development in Jamaica’s rapidly evolving urban landscape.
The case stands as a watershed moment for construction industry oversight in Jamaica, potentially setting precedents for how similar cases will be handled in the future. As authorities move to implement the Commission’s recommendations, the industry watches closely to see how this high-profile case might reshape the relationship between developers, regulatory bodies, and public officials. (WiredJA)