South Pacific Development Group (SPDG) CEO Jesse H. James told the Samoa Observer yesterday that his company has had no part in formulating a controversial Samoa gambling bill —this despite what is said on the SPDG website.
An Observer story headlined “Casino plan revealed” that appeared on their Sunday Samoan website claims that “parts of the mystery about who is behind the controversial Casino and Gambling Control Bill 2010 have been unraveled,” and goes on to say the “self-styled hotelier” and Chief Executive Officer of SPDG, “has emerged as one of the key players.”
The Observer says, “According to information obtained by the Sunday Samoan, Mr James who holds the Tupa’isina title from Sasina Savai’i, boasts about one of the licenses.”
James wrote on his company’s website, under the sub-head —An investment opportunity— “SPDG is expecting to receive one of the two gaming licenses that will be issued in Samoa (one license for each island). The company is working hand-in-glove with the government to formulate the new law and to develop rules and regulations for the casino operators.” <http://www.southpacificdg.com>
The new law called the Gambling and Casino Control Bill 2010 was introduced in March of this year by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.
However, when the Observer emailed James, and reporter Alan Ah Mu asked about the extent of the company’s involvement in the formulation of the bill, James said yesterday there was none.
“’Hand-in-glove’ simply means that once we heard of the proposed bill that we began making every effort to follow it closely and to reach out to potential casino partners who might have an interest in applying for one of the licenses once (and if) the legislation is passed,” the CEO told the Observer.
The Observer told Samoa News that James went on to tell Ah Mu that SPDG has “not consulted the government regarding the formation of the bill in any fashion,” and they are probably as “surprised as anyone else to learn of the bill.”
Samoa News learned from the Observer that it appears the company leased 600 acres in Sasina and 300 acres in Pu’apu’a and the Observer says James confirms this.
James explained the claim to thousands of acres as a “potential” possibility, not yet a fact.
“Both of our leases provide for ‘right of first refusal’ on all contiguous land, thereby giving us potential control of thousands of acres of additional land in the future, providing we elect to exercise our options,” he said.
SPDG’s executive summary- written by James- talks about having control of thousands of acres of potential resort development. It also openly boasts about its “extremely strong relationship” with Tuilaepa’s government.
According to the summary, the Samoa Government is providing SPDG with 15-year tax free concessions, 15-year duty free status and assistance with infrastructure development in exchange for SPDG’s commitment to develop resorts and infrastructure on the island of Savai’i.
The website also features a letter of intent from the government signed by deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Misa Telefoni on 28 May 2009.
“Kindly note that we are committed to providing you with the necessary infrastructure and lift capacity that you will need for a successful resort development and for the growing tourism industry in Savai’i,” Misa wrote.
Samoa Observer was unable to contact Prime Minister Tuilaepa for a comment over the weekend.
