Expressing cautious optimism while welcoming the signing of a closing agreement for a resort in St George’s, the Progressive Labour Party has reserved detailed comment until its master development agreement is revealed.

Zane DeSilva, the Shadow Minister of Tourism, promised a thorough review of concessions offered to the Desarrollos Group, the developers for the site.

“While we agree and understand that concessions are often necessary to attract business, we must be fiscally prudent when we are signing agreements of this nature,” Mr DeSilva said.

Mr DeSilva said questions remained to be answered about the project, including the precise meaning of “reasonable” public access to Fort St Catherine Beach.

He also described the dealings behind yesterday’s announcement that negotiations had been completed as “beyond questionable — involving serious breaches of good governance practices — displaying the worst examples of politics in Bermuda’s history”.

The Opposition has repeatedly taken the governing One Bermuda Alliance to task for falling short in transparency, and Mr DeSilva continued the refrain, saying Bermudians should remain concerned.

With jobs and air arrivals at a low, he said local construction workers needed jobs on the site that could support their families, adding: “We especially look forward to seeing Bermudians taking prominent roles in the success of the finished hotel product.”