Estatebridge Holdings Limited, a company that the Integrity Commission claims is linked to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his business partner Norman Brown, has strongly denied claims that it violated building regulations during the construction of an apartment complex in Beverly Hills, St. Andrew.
The Integrity Commission’s report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, stated that Estatebridge constructed four four-bedroom townhouses at 2 Weycliffe Close, despite having a permit for four two-bedroom units. The commission’s director of investigation, Kevon Stephenson, also accused the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) of failing to ensure compliance with the terms of the building permit.
Stephenson said his findings were consistent with a report provided by Brown in December 2023. However, Estatebridge’s directors countered, stating that the KSAMC, which they called the “competent authority,” observed no breach in room count during its inspections.
“Variations in size and layout, which normally occur during construction and do not materially change the building footprint, were noted during the most recent inspection, and the necessary application is in process,” the company said in a statement. They emphasized that the development is still under construction, and the KSAMC has confirmed compliance with the approved two-bedroom configuration.
PM Holness responds
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, distancing himself from the issue, expressed concerns about being named in the report. “I am not a director, shareholder, or owner of the property in question. Therefore, it is a puzzle to me why I am a subject of this report,” he said in a statement.
Holness also criticized the Integrity Commission for allegedly ignoring the KSAMC’s findings that the development was in structural conformity with the approved plan. “It is of grave concern that the investigators would disregard statements from the competent authority,” he said, adding that the report’s timing appeared to coincide with a pending Supreme Court judgement in a case involving his challenge to another Integrity Commission report.
Company dismisses allegations
Estatebridge’s directors accused the commission of relying on “hearsay, misrepresentation of facts, and spurious conclusions” to damage their reputation. They noted that the commission’s inspections occurred during significant construction work, such as rerouting pipes, making it impossible to draw valid conclusions about room count.
“This is yet another attempt to damage the reputation of the principals of the company,” the directors stated, asserting their commitment to lawful practices and dismissing the allegations as “bureaucratic overreach.”
Holness echoed these sentiments, describing the report as a “transparent attempt to attack” his reputation. “This will not deter me from serving Jamaica,” he said.
