A view of the Blue Lagoon in Portland.
A senior executive of a multi-million dollar hotel development in Blue Lagoon, Portland, is dismissing claims by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) that it is constructing an artificial beach in a section of Jamaica's most-loved beauty spots.
On Saturday, Diana McCaulay, the Chief Executive Officer of JET, raised concerns about the proposed development being undertaken by the developers of Tropical Lagoon Heights Resorts.
Ms. McCaualay requested that Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who has ministerial responsibility for the environment, intervene as the construction threatens the world famous location.
However, Colin Bell, the Spokesman and Operations Manager for Tropical Lagoon Heights Resorts, says the developers have placed major emphasis on protecting the lagoon.
"The claim of JET is not honourable and their intensions are not pure either. What we have done since buying that property is spend millions of dollars in protecting the Blue Lagoon. It’s not an artificial beach, it is a reclaimed beach. What used to happen is that there’s a big gully that comes down off the hill that brings a lot of silt down into the Blue Lagoon. We have spent millions of dollars to correct that," Mr. Bell told RJR News Monday afternoon.
Allow Portland to strive
He added that several years of hard work including the clearing of mounds of debris silt and shrubs, has paid off with the beach being restored to its former glory.
He accused JET officials of being silent on other environmental issues affecting the Blue Lagoon.
Mr. Bell pointed to abandoned boats, and an old restaurant purchased by a prominent businessman that continues to rot away in the lagoon.
According to him, the project has been granted the requisite permit and approvals and remains a plus for Portland.
"What we’re doing (with this) development, we are employing people and we are the ones who are taking care of the Blue Lagoon. Maybe the government needs to come and look at it and reimburse us some of those monies that we spent to stop the silt from going into the Blue Lagoon. If we had not bought that property, maybe the Blue Lagoon will be filled with silt right now.
"Portmore deserves its fair share of development. Portland is the tourism mecca of Jamaica and right now we have nothing, so I’m saying to them, allow Portland to strive," Mr. Bell stated.
The property is 85% complete.
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