The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) wishes to correct statements carried in the Monday, October 16, 2017 edition of the Jamaica Observer’s North & East Publication giving it responsibility for repair works being carried out on the roads leading to the Winnifred Beach facility in Portland. The report went on to allude to the winning of a court case between the Winnifred Benevolent Society and the UDC.
The main statements attributed to the members of the Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society pegs the UDC as the entity now “fixing the road” and further questions the whereabouts of sums allegedly collected to repair the road for which allegedly there is no documented proof.
The Corporation would like to place on record that it has no knowledge of funds collected to undertake repair to the roads as referred to by the article. The Corporation wishes to advise that the repairs to the thoroughfare in question, as referred to in the article, are in fact being conducted by the National Works Agency (NWA) using funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). The UDC’s only involvement is through technical and community sensitisation support being offered to the NWA as needed.
The article went on to incorrectly assert that the ‘UDC…lost to the benevolent society in a matter brought before the court’. We wish to clarify that in 2015, the matter was amicably resolved at mediation and through mutual agreement with each party respecting the other’s rights and as such a Consent Order was made by the Court i.e. there was no opposition. The Corporation has granted the easement to be recorded on a title that Winnifred will always be a public bathing beach. It has always been the Corporation’s intention to develop the Beach for the good and enjoyment for all Jamaicans.
The Urban Development Corporation owns Winnifred Beach. We trust that there will be a follow-up article offering clarification as per the high standards of journalism historically resident in Jamaica.
For further information, please contact:
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel 🙁 876) 656-8031
Email cr@udcja.com
Website: www.udcja.com
www.facebook.com/urbandevelopmentcorporation
October 23, 2017