The fate of Bermuda's cement silos in Dockyard is still unknown as the West End Development Corporation failed to answer questions on it yesterday.

However former Bermuda Cement Company owner Jim Butterfield has ruled out suing the West End Development Corporation if they allow new owners to stay at the current site.

Yesterday, Wedco failed to respond to requests on the status of lease discussions with new owners Chris Shanks, Dennis Correia and Paul Simons.

It is not known if they will be allowed continue on in the plant's current location or will be required to build a new plant in exchange for a 21-year lease — as the previous owners were.

Yesterday Mr. Butterfield said he knew nothing about lease discussions with the new owners but said he hoped that Wedco would come to their senses.

The Bermuda Cement Company was sold on January 4 after lease negotiations with Wedco broke down. Wedco had demanded that the shareholders demolish their existing plant and build another nearby, as well as sell 20 percent of their shares in return for a new 21-year lease.

The former shareholders said it would be uneconomical to create a new plant in exchange for a 21-year lease because a new plant would cost up to $15 million.

"Hopefully, for the country, Wedco will throw that lease in the trash," Mr. Butterfield said. "It is not what Bermuda needs. Hopefully they will come to their senses.

"I am very interested to hear what happens. I lost a business that I loved and it has been a real adjustment."

He added that he did not plan to sue Wedco if the conditions were changed for the new owners and they were allowed to stay at the original premises.

"No I don't think I am going to bother with that," he said.

The new General Manager of the plant, Chris Shanks, was off Island yesterday meeting with one of the larger shareholders Cemex.

Yesterday Wedco was asked:

* Has a new lease had been signed? If so for how long?

* Will the plant stay where it currently is or will the new owners be required to build another plant in a new location?

* Will the new owners be required to sell 20 percent the companies shareholdings?