The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Initially, I thought PGC’s claim to being blindsided by Izmirlian was feasible - after all, the developer wouldn’t want to tip his hand so that it would get back to the Chinese, who seem to want to foreclose on the property.

However, when you think about it, PGC and his advisors clearly had to be aware of what the likely alternatives were under the circumstances – even if they were not given specific notice (and some insist they were). And if the PM was really and truly blissfully unaware, that is an equal or greater failure of leadership and executive authority.

1. He would have had access to reliable accounts of the alleged sabotage and other construction issues at Baha Mar from many of the principal subcontractors, service providers and employees.

2. He claimed to have been in talks with the developer, contractor and financier over many weeks. These talks would have explored the variety of options open to the parties and the likely consequences of each course of action.

3. As minister of finance, his technical advisors would have outlined the various actions that the developer could possibly take with respect to the position he was in, and strategised the government’s response.

4. Since the opening was killed in March, PGC and his advisors would have been aware that the developer was bleeding millions every month to pay refunds, salaries, benefits and service providers with no income being generated. Clearly that is unsustainable – even a minister of finance would know that.

To say he won’t take sides is to wash his hands of the matter and avoid responsibility. He wants the credit but not the blame.

Bottom line is: there’s only one side - the side of the Bahamian people. The resort is in the Bahamas and the developer is a Bahamian citizen who is employing thousands of Bahamians. Get to work and fix it and stop talking nonsense. Get the local contractors together. Do something.

CONCERNED BAHAMIAN

Nassau,

July 2, 2015.