Tourism Minister denies any rift with Baha Mar

As of Monday, August 26, 2013

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Obie Wilchcombe has denied that there is a rift between Baha Mar and the government over the latter’s financial obligations in connection with the Cable Beach redevelopment project.

In fact, Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune, relations between the sides are stronger than they have ever been.

He downplayed the roadwork repayment situation, saying that a small disagreement exists – one which he expects to be settled soon.

“Baha Mar has a good relationship with the Bahamas government – it has to,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “From time to time there are disagreements and obviously there is a disagreement right now with certain things and certain matters that were raised, particularly as it relates to the roads and the money involved, but that’s what happens with negotiations.

“At the end of the day, we are working closely with them.”

Mr Wilchcombe was speaking on Friday following the government’s tour of phase three of the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

It was suggested nearly two weeks ago that the relationship between the government and Baha Mar was strained.

Adding weight to the claims, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham blasted the government for creating what he called an embarrassing situation with the potential to damage the Bahamas’ reputation.

He made the concerns known in an open letter, published on August 12, 2013

Mr Ingraham said he found “the present government’s efforts to unilaterally and in a very public way revisit terms contained in the Heads of Agreement between the government and Baha Mar especially worrisome.

“These terms were agreed by the government of the Bahamas, the owners of Baha Mar, that is, the Izmirlian Family, and state-owned agencies of the People’s Republic of China.

“Having been a part of the good faith negotiation of some of these agreements with these investors, I am saddened to see the good name of the Bahamas as a trustworthy and transparent jurisdiction in which to conduct business threatened by a tedious, vexatious effort by its government to delay meeting its agreed financial obligations to this important project.”

While Mr Ingraham was in office, the government agreed it would pay $48.1 million towards road works that were expected to cost around $90 million in total.

It was also stipulated that the government would pay half the cost if the work ended up costing less than $70 million.

Officials at Baha Mar claim that the road cost $118 million, but the government has argued that the figure was only $58 million.

jackflash 10 years, 8 months ago

There is no rift.

There is a contract and the government needs to abide by it.

Baha Mar has no problems at all with the government because there is a CONTRACT!11111111111

And the government will pay the bill or give concessions..

Simple

banker 10 years, 8 months ago

It's the red shirts fault. And Edison Key is a hero.

jackflash 10 years, 8 months ago

Yes, where is Lady Phillippa Russell - I mean TAL.

MUST BE OUT BACK THROWING ROKS AT HAIs PHOTO AGAIN...

jackflash 10 years, 8 months ago

That was throwing rocks at HALs photo again.

She'll come in once her arm is sore!

concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago

good one !!!

carlh57 10 years, 8 months ago

Hahaha...that a good one mr tourism minister...haha....sure you'll get a wake up call when Baha Mar starts legal action of sueing the government for what is owed them. Which will end up costing the country even more monies (legal fees, back due interest plus obligation amount). And the Bahamian people lose again. But then again, none of the govt officials care about their people anyway.....

alexispeack 10 years, 1 month ago

I have so many loving Muslim friends here in the United States. In fact I'm dating a muslim Afghanhttp://www.4go.lt/profile/ponygirl">. One Pakistani friend of mine looks at this and wonders where her country is going.

Reading how backward these stupid politicians arehttp://www.jocuri.comxa.com/profile/p...">, and how they keep a grip on power by keeping the un-educated deeply fearful and profoundly prejudiced, I just retch. It doesn't reflect on the true human spirit of these people, it shows the venomous hatred of the politicians and their grip on the sheep masses.

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