In a stunning report in April this year by the Jamaica Observer,
it was revealed that a Singapore company is currently helping to
repair Jamaica’s run-down national stadium in exchange for the
country’s support for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be
held in Singapore later in August.
“Under a barter agreement between Jamaica and Singapore
last December, it was agreed that Intersurface Pte Limited, the
Singaporean company that installed the track for the Youth Olympics
set for August 14-26 next year in that country, would undertake the
work at Jamaica’s National Stadium.”
The Singapore company was chosen over four other companies
including German giants Regupol and the United States’ Mondo
Incorporated because it offered a “better” deal to the Jamaica
government.
“The Singapore company had to be used because we were
getting a better deal and the Singapore entity that is picking up
the cost wanted a Singapore company to be used,” a
government official told the Observer in December.
It was not revealed what the terms of the Singaporee offer are.
However in exchange, Jamaica has to agree to help Singapore
“market” the YOG which may include sending its athletes to attend
the event.
The news was not reported in the Singapore media desperate to
whip up a frenzy among the island state’s apathetic citizenry about
the event which has attracted little international
media attention so far.
It was reported in the papers today that the PAP has
splurged an astronomical $387 million dollars on the YOG which has
surpassed three times its original estimates. No reasons were given
for the discrepancy in the initial estimates and amount spent.
There is no opposition in the Singapore Parliament to hold the
PAP accountable to its spending of taxpayers’ monies. As for
improverished Jamaica, it must be celebrating the unexpected
“windfall” from the YOG held on the other side of the globe.
Read the original report on the Jamaica Observer here.
Source: Temasek Review
