EDITOR, The Tribune.
Merriam-Webster defines Failure as an omission of occurrence or performance; specifically: a failing to perform a duty or expected action.
“Failure” is a fitting word, as there is no need in being politically correct about their lack of effort and lack of oversight regarding the Baha Mar project.
The overzealous construction schedule and a Government not knowing the role of governance, has contributed to numerous delays at the Baha Mar site.
Friday, 19th of June, Mr Christie in his blundering speech, has indicated the developer is unable to make a payroll. So it comes as no surprise at the government’s decision to admit defeat and pay Baha Mar the $21m owed for the Cable Beach roadworks.
This should be welcomed news to those Bahamian sub-contractors and employees of Baha Mar.
However, this solves a temporary problem as the government fights to secure the 2000+ jobs on that mega project.
This issue brings us to another déjà vu situation where we are seeing more of the same ineffective governance, compounded by unrealistic promises, which creates “extremely dissatisfied” and discouragement within The Bahamas, a country that’s struggling its way out of a recession.
Concerns are also growing that Baha Mar will become another dream anchor project (a bridge to nowhere like the I-Group in Mayaguana, the Ginn or the Cotton Bay project). I don’t agree with those sentiments, but we are being left in the dark regarding this $3.5 billion dollar project.
The developer and contractor are at a standoff for more than eight months. Work has completely stopped; tourists are becoming fed up with not only Baha Mar, but the country. Yet the Prime Minister is preoccupied with minor issues, rather he should be concerned with the silent partners of Baha Mar, namely the SLS LUX, Rosewood and Grand Hyatt. All are left with questions.
The main questions to ask are, who should be held responsible for the delays, how was the money spent and why the need for additional funds to complete the project?
We have had PLP surrogates like Leslie Miller, suggesting the government needs to inject $400m to assist in finishing the project.
This is quickly becoming an overwhelming situation for the Christie administration; a government that’s steeped in bills, borrowing its way out of debt, an unemployment rate above 15 per cent and an ever increasing taxation on the working class that places them further into poverty.
This is another example of successive governments relying strictly on foreigners to create economic success and jobs. Baha Mar in my opinion follows current Foreign Direct Investment strategies; bring an empty hand and huge dreams. Baha Mar was compounded with problems from the onset.
Before ground breaking, they owed millions to local banks, they had problems securing financing, then in April 2014, the pull out of the Morgans Hotel Group that created legal problems for them, now problems with the contractor. Should we expect another major hotel to leave? If history is to repeat itself, the government needs to do what’s necessary to secure the opening of the hotel or we should see months – years in delays resulting from legal disputes over who owes what.
The PLP government probably is in bed with the developers and should be careful of not offering benefits to another special interest group, but needs to ensure the outcome is in the best interest of all Bahamians. How we fix the problem.
1) A bad leader never takes responsibility. The PM should be out front taking full responsibility for his lack of oversight regarding this project.
2) A bad leader acts as if he has all the answers. The PM is the figurehead only regarding this issue and doesn’t know anything about construction and should rely on the experts within the industry.
3) A bad leader avoids or does not deal with conflict. We have the Prime Minister or his designate sitting alongside experts within the industry, between the developer and contractor inside closed door meetings. The government would guarantee the agreements between both parties.
4) A bad leader doesn’t listen. Whatever decision is made within those closed door meetings, the PM should trust his experts are making the correct decisions. This should be all about effective mediation and providing resources necessary for a positive outcome. Being silent to any question asked will not generate positive results and Bahamians need to stand up, act in their own best interest, begin questioning this government, holding them accountable to their commitment to freedom of information.
KISHON TURNER
Executive Officer
DNA Men’s Alliance,
Nassau,
June 24, 2015.
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