By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
CONCERNS have been raised about the status of the multi-million dollar roadwork contract for Cat Island, with a resident from that island claiming the project has been “abandoned.”
In a letter sent to The Tribune, Cat Island resident Carlton Zonicle called on Minister of Works and Cat Island MP Philip Davis to answer why the roadway appears to be “in worse shape than before the contract was awarded”.
The concerned resident added: “When will work resume to fix the problems that were never fixed, how long will that take and how many more dollars will that cost the Bahamas?”
In August 2013, Ezra Russell was awarded a contract to reconstruct 1.8 miles of roadway and 500 feet of the sea wall in central Cat Island. The contract had an initial price of $1.8 million, but rose to $2.4 million at last report. At the time, officials said the work should have been completed in 120 days.
When contacted for comment, Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, said the government is in talks to further expand the scope of its sea wall and roadway project in Cat Island.
Mr Higgs confirmed that the initial contract – which was signed more than a year ago – was “substantially complete” and the government was in discussions for additional works with the contractor.
Last year project costs increased to $2.4 million due to underground technical issues; however, Mr Higgs said he could not confirm the total value of the contract up to press time.
He explained that site conditions “required some changes in the design”.
The contract was signed between the Ministry of Works and Marlon Enterprises on August 22, 2013 at the Media Centre in the settlement of Knowles in New Bight, Cat Island.
Yesterday, Marlin Enterprise President Ezra Russell told The Tribune that his company had completed 4,200 feet of sea wall construction and was waiting on the government to approve additional funding.
“I’m waiting on the ministry to get back to me,” he said. “So far what we’ve already done, we have finished the sea wall and we are extending the feet of sea wall, we’re just waiting on the government to get their finances in place. They are extending it because the length didn’t clear the whole area damaged by the hurricane.”
Mr Russell added: “(Regarding) the road, we’re waiting on getting funding too. It was not enough to cover the roads.”
Mr Russell has also proposed to build a multi-million dollar resort/residential development for the island, Fountain Bay Resort and Marina.
When asked about this, Mr Russell said he was close to securing funding for the project. The development was facilitated by a grant of 36 acres of Crown land, and forecast to inject $2.3 million in the economy of Cat Island annually. The resort will feature 114 rental units and a clubhouse in phase one, 37 residential homes in phase two, and 54 marina slips in phase three.
It was granted final approvals in 2012, at which time Mr Russell commended the PLP-led government for approving his project within the first 100 days of its new term.
Yesterday, Mr Russell said: “We are securing funding right now and we’re looking to start that project by July this year.”
“Everything is around funding, when the money was there I couldn’t get government to issue land approval. Now that the economy is like this, I have approvals so now trying to put funding in place is what’s dragging out.
“We have two potential investors looking at it right now,” he added.
Comments
CatIslandBoy 9 years, 2 months ago
......and who says the PLP don't look for their people? I wonder if this was Ezra's reward for not mounting a campaign against Brave in the last election? I'm just asking questions, Birdie!
asiseeit 9 years, 2 months ago
I love how the contract was awarded for 1.8 million but then cost 2.4 million. This is exactly why the government is BROKE and the people of The Bahamas are having to pay VAT. I wonder if Mr. Davis would balk if he hired a contractor to build him a house for 1.8 and then had to pay him 2.4 at the end of the day? If these where his private monies you think he would be happy and satisfied he did not get ripped off?
spoitier 9 years, 2 months ago
It was probably a contractor who knew someone and they told him to under bid to make sure he got the contract and then come back later for more money.
Greentea 9 years, 2 months ago
This is a funky deal - contract and 36 acres of crown land? ... I hate to say it but .... at least he is a Bahamian. I bumped along that road the last time I was in Cat Island dipping and dodging some serious potholes- that was two and a half years ago - and nothing has changed- wow.
spoitier 9 years, 2 months ago
The government needs to hire reputable contractors who can do a reasonable estimation in order to put in an informed bid. If a fixed sum contract was signed then it is the contractor responsibility to finish the work, if a cost plus type of contract was signed then the contractor should still finish the work and bill the government for the remainder that is owed. In any event the work should get finish once stated.
licks2 9 years, 2 months ago
How about we take his triffeling tail to COURT TO RECOVER THE PEOPLE MONEY? We all know from past experiences with political operatives contracts. . .THE WORK WILL NOT GET DONE! PERIOD!! Now the question is will we as a pack of ninnies sit down and let them PLP get away with their foolishness any further? I SAY HELL NO!!!!
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
What is the difference between Brave giving one of his election generals a contract and the PM giving Whitney the BAMSI contract?????????? and Hubert giving his generals contracts???? It the Bahamian system of kickbacks and favours ............... unethical, unfair and wasteful
CatIsland342 9 years, 2 months ago
On January 14th 2015, a town meeting was called to discuss the future of economic development on Cat Island. We the residents of Cat Island immediately took action, starting a petition requesting plans for economic stimulus which would include the rebuilding of the New Bight Airport that was promised to our island in 2008. This was then sent to our member of parliament, Mr. Philip 'Brave' Davis, with over 450 signatures. It is our understanding that Cat Island will never flourish without an adequate airport. We are unaware if there has been any response. To view the the letter sent with the petition, visit:
Cat Islander First, We Live here!! Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/71546...">https://www.facebook.com/groups/71546...
by CatIsland342
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