The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BAHA MAR  — jobs, jobs but at what cost should be asked now and for the future?

We must ask looking back to the constant campaign of certain public individuals who did not miss a second to scream publicly jobs-jobs-jobs approve Baha Mar but in reality what occurred?

More than 3000 Chinese workers arrived – were paid 25 per cent of their wages and work started, very, very little Bahamian work.

We are told unto $400m eventually in direct construction contracts were granted and we know from releases over these past days that a lot of our leading contractors they are owed over $100m.

In the documents presented to counter the Delaware chapter 11 claim the AG’s office suggested Baha Mar received over $1 billion worth of economic concessions from the Bahamian Treasury.

Although I totally understand the focus right now is it where the future should be?

In a year’s time, will we be back where we are today simply because the developer could well be unable to meet his payments to EXIM China? Can we afford this?

There are some conditions in the Heads of Agreement but how solid and enforceable are they?

It is obvious to all EXIM China hold the superior charge on the property and that’s it.

Going forward today, July 2015 surely we should be insisting that we have some guarantees for performance not only to open the hotels but staying open forward – surely this would make essential sense.

It saddens this writer that we constantly hear so much irresponsible comment on the Talk Shows – there is absolutely no-way possible that Bahamians could sustain ongoing investment to the tune of $200m annually to create job opportunities for the ‘ooo’s now who seek and for the future so we have to ensure The Bahamas is attractive enough in the FDI Stakes, globally to compete on a levelled playing field. One hopes the owners of the radio stations will hold seminars to teach their Talk Show hosts the realities and insist they stop talking things which are untrue.

W THOMPSON

Nassau,

July 8, 2015.