The Editor, Sir:

I read your article 'Sligoville ripe for development' with a mixture of outrage and sadness. I remember that during the visit of the Chinese vice-president to Jamaica, discussions about a bauxite refinery and the renovation of the railroad were at the top of the list. How is it then that a mini-stadium in Sligoville rose to the top of our national priority list with the Chinese?

Let's for a minute accept that our experts felt that a mini-stadium rather than a tomato factory or a school was a better way to spend J$228 million worth of international political capital. How did sleepy, remote Sligoville beat out burgeoning Portmore with its 250,000 people, May Pen or Mandeville? Did the Chinese just decide one day that they would find the least appropriate area for a mini-stadium and throw their money away or did one of our leaders unilaterally suggest or rather insist on this grand idea without a thought to demographics and maintenance costs?

Having some knowledge of diplomatic affairs, I believe it was the latter, but maybe the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, who coincidentally is also the Member of Parliament for Sligoville, can tell us. Congratulations! What a way to run a country!

I am, etc.,

JADEN ANDREWS

Kingston