The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Finance spokesman K Peter Turnquest said yesterday that Prime Minister Perry Christie has “an obligation to deliver” on the Baha Mar project completion having thrust the government into the saga via its push for liquidation, arguing that the Bahamian people should not be left in the dark regarding any developments surrounding the stalled resort.

“As I have said the Prime Minister lacks credibility on this issue having announced a number of restarts,” Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business. “I am aware that there is apparently some work being done at the resort. To what level I don’t know but I know that there are people who have been milling around.”

Baha Mar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over a year ago, and subsequently construction on the mega resort development stalled. The Government has frequently touted the ‘framework agreement’ between itself, China Construction America (CCA) and the China Export-Import Bank for work to restart at the Cable Beach project but few details of a deal with a new operator have been made public. Personnel from CCA have reportedly returned to the property to prepare it for completion. Bahamian construction companies are owed a collective $74 million over Baha Mar.

“The reality is no matter what happens its going to take a while for this to be done,” Mr Turnquest said. “Depending on what status the restart is at there may be some sensitivity involved in terms of the negations so I don’t want to prejudge that. However, at the end of the day, the Prime Minister has an obligation to deliver since he has inserted his government in it and keep the Bahamian people informed especially those who have a vested interest in terms of existing jobs and the creditors.”