BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CEO and founder of Christophe Harbour Development Company Limited, Charles ‘Buddy’ Darby has indicated that he is unconcerned about the findings coming out of an ongoing investigation into the previous Government’s involvement in the luxury project.
Since taking off last year, the Team Unity Government has put a lid on funds taken from the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) and had launched investigations into the spending of monies from that fund.
Earlier this year, the Government contracted internationally renowned accounting firm Ernst & Young to conduct a forensic audit on the role the former Administration played in the Christophe Harbour and Kittitian Hill projects.
Both projects are said to be controversial.
But, while addressing reporters yesterday (Nov.15) at a press conference, following a guided tour, at the development site in the Southeast Peninsula, Darby was asked if he was concerned about the findings of the investigation, to which he replied: “I am not concerned whatsoever.”
The project, which started in 2007, saw the SIDF investing over $43M and has thus far received over $3M in returns, Darby informed.
The CEO explained that he has had a number of audits done on Christophe Harbour by various firms, including Dr. Chatterton and Grant Thornton.
“I did an internal report audit. I have gone through Grant Thornton internal audit and I have gone through Ian Wyles audit. I can tell you everything is above board and I think you will find that there are no improprieties whatsoever, and our relationship is very good with SIDF.”
Despite those assurances, the project was heavily criticized in recent times by a former politician, who has been very vocal about the investment and the slow pace at which works are moving.
Additionally, many citizens have also voiced their concerns over the project, questioning the former Government’s involvement.
“There is a cloud that I wish would go away...and hopefully it goes away one day,” said Darby.
The project would also see the construction of approximately 2,000 homes. However, according to Darby, those would be acquired units but “that didn’t mean that we were going to come in and build 2,000 units”.
The company has completed approximately 30 homes over the nine-year period. But it was explained that the global financial meltdown of 2008 had played its part in the delay of the project.
To date, the Christophe Harbour project has completed over $400M worth of construction. Included in that figure are $12M worth of roads, construction of the Pavilion Salt Plage, and a Marina where berthing of yachts have already started.
But despite that, the project has a long way to go, as they are currently in the process of finalizing the design for construction of the marquee golf course.
Raising more questions than answers among journalists, Darby was asked if he has any court issue that is hampering the flow of the project which has been on stream for close to 10 years, to which he responded in the negative.
Pressed on if there is any challenge he is facing with persons who had owned the land prior to him taking ownership, Darby disclosed that the land before bought from Government and he is unaware of any problems.
“When I came here I bought land from the Government, from individuals and I did that on several different transactions. So I can’t speak to anything prior to when I came. I apologise if there were any statements made prior to me coming. I know it wasn’t made by me.”
The company has partnered with a number of developers in constructing the luxury units, a number of which have been completed and already sold.
