OPES, LLC is confident that surpassing this milestone and receiving the cooperation of the Jamaican Government and the relevant Government bodies would provide the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) with the medium needed to provide jobs and aid in the improvement of the parish.
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Senior Superintendent Robert Gordon, commanding officer for the Westmoreland Police Division, has extended an appeal to the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) social intervention committee for help to solve the issue of job placements for youth in the Savanna-la-Mar community of Russia and nearby communities.
The superintendent’s call for social intervention has been met with excellent timing, as it comes while international attention has been brought to the challenges faced by investors who have expressed the desire to develop two luxury five-star resorts in the nearby towns of Little Bay and Brighton. Such a significant project could be expected to positively impact nearby communities and the parish as a whole. This five to eight billion USD tourist development proposal would be one of the largest investments in the history of Jamaica.
OPES LLC, a private equity firm, represented by Attorney Alimi Banjoko, is now working with government agencies to bring a favorable solution to the need for social intervention through the development of the two luxury five-star resorts.
In a previous release published 01/02/2022, OPES LLC highlighted delays to its planned development. Prior to a court-ordered eviction in June 2018 of illegal occupants on the property, the government had agreed in principle to resettle the occupants on 25 acres of property donated by the owner in addition to adjacent land contributed by the government in Little Bay and Brighton.
Despite the 2011 court decision granting writs of possession and the eviction of at least 37 occupants, the legal owner along with prospective investors have struggled to fulfill the court’s direction; that all illegal occupants must leave the 867-acre property.
Among those who attempted to capture the land after the current owner purchased it are affluent opportunists, who have gone so far as to build expensive concrete buildings to support unlicensed and untaxed business ventures at the expense of the community, the government, and the lawful owner.
Attorney Alimi Banjoko has revealed that within the last two weeks, signs have been erected on the land signaling a deadline for eviction.
Previously, OPES LLC said that this development could have a positive impact on the local communities because it would create jobs and bring much-needed investments to the area. The number of jobs that these two developments will create is far greater than those seeking employment. As a result of this economic growth, locals will have more options and more capital to reinvest. Citizens living in neighboring communities, other parishes, indeed the whole country will benefit from the results.
The investors are confident that the benefits of these developments to the local area would include improved roads and freshwater access, electrical infrastructure, water treatment, and environmental protections.
Further development of the property could include air or sea ports, renewable energy production, and medical facilities. The government would certainly benefit from increased tax revenue, a significant increase in foreign investments, and an overall increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Both five-star luxury resort developments would bring thousands of permanent jobs to build, staff, and maintain these resorts. In addition, external businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, transportation services, raw material suppliers, and many others would also see an increase in demand for their products and services. More development should be expected to follow as growth follows growth.
“It is a disappointment that an opportunity to increase Jamaica’s GDP has been met with such delays. The delays have not only caused a standstill in the properties’ development but are also indirectly putting at risk the opportunity for the growth and development of the Jamaican economy.”. – Attorney Alimi Banjoko
Banjoko shared that “Neither the landowner nor the investors are unsympathetic with the illegal tenants/squatters; they are in fact compassionate towards the people of Brighton and Little Bay and also empathize with the plight of the people in the community of Russia. As a result, they have proposed giving 20 to 50 acres of their land to aid in the relocation process. Although this offer was previously met with complete silence by the government of Jamaica, the owner and investors are hopeful that working with the relevant government bodies will inspire the change needed. The change expected by the landowner and investors includes the removal and relocation of the illegal occupants, putting the multi-property development in motion, and by extension bringing much-needed jobs and economic growth to Jamaica.”
The landowners have had a long history in the community, and many in the area will remember their generosity. Among their philanthropic efforts, the owners took a special interest in the Little Bay All Age School, where they organized donations of books, uniforms, a lunch program, and financial support. It is the current owner’s hope that good can still come of the previous owner’s vision for the land. To be clear, this project does not impact any government school property. In fact, the owner intends to donate some portion of any proceeds to support education in the Little Bay and Brighton communities.
“Jamaica is known for its white sandy beaches, lush green mountains and valleys, strong heritage, and friendly people; Therefore, these developments have the potential to further bring positive changes to the country’s economy and business climate.” – OPES, LLC
The Most Honorable Prime Minister of Jamaica in his recent budget address called for new efforts to secure the land and sea domains of Jamaica. He further stated that private landowners have a vital role in accomplishing this goal. The Prime Minister also appealed to the private sector to expand renewable energy production and environmental protection. Peace, opportunity, and prosperity in all aspects of life require partners in the people, for laws and courts to be respected, and for property rights to be protected.
All parties involved are hoping that this project will come to life as soon as possible; there is no doubt that both these developments and other follow-on projects will bring significant and immediate positive changes in the communities of Russia, Little Bay, and Brighton.
Contact Info:
Name: Alimi Banjoko
Email: Send Email
Organization: OPES,LLC
Address: Evanston, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
Phone: +1-212-618-1327
Website: https://www.banjokolaw.com
Release ID: 89071992
