By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister revealed yesterday that the new Christmas lights erected around town cost just over $99,000.
The creative displays at major roundabouts were the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and are valued at $81,989.66, he told The Tribune.
“As long as no one steals them we should be able to use the items for a number of years just replacing the light bulbs as necessary,” Mr Bannister said. “If we average a 10 year life span of the units - we kept the crates so that they can be properly stored - then averaged over the 10 years, the decorations are just $8,000 per year.”
The breakdown for the roundabout displays and the cost of trucking to Tropical Shipping in Florida was $48,872.00. Additionally there was a $3,923.14 charge for Tropical Shipping Transportation from Florida to New Providence.
Duty and value added tax cost taxpayers $29,194.52 for a total cost $81,989.66.
For Bahamas Power and Light’s part, the electricity provider purchased decorative lights for streetlight poles for $10,645 with an estimated duty of $6,400.
Combined, both the ministry and BPL spent a total of $99,034.66.
The minister revealed the cost element of the lights after promising on Sunday to disclose the information in response to questions from The Tribune.
This year’s Christmas decorations were the result of “direct orders” and not contracted work, as has been the case previously, he revealed at the time.
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
Best comrade Desmond be out for all details crown's decorations and lights business cause it goin get out anyways... likes when he keeps says how these hereto Christmas decorations and lights were the result of “direct orders” -does that mean no politically contracted privileged $100,000 procurement broker of sorts ain't going be exposed later?
Bonefishpete 5 years, 4 months ago
When deys gonna burlap the palm trees?
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 4 months ago
You mean the native tree condoms? I think Tal pointed that out
DDK 5 years, 4 months ago
Please no!
bcitizen 5 years, 4 months ago
If they can find them next year.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 4 months ago
99,000 form who? I understand there was one former employee of a major corporation who set up a company in Florida and was ordering supplies for the local corporation from her own company. Somebody check with the FS
sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago
Now that's a BN-newsworthy scandal!!!!!
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 4 months ago
I don't mean to imply that that incident was related to the purchase of the Christmas supplies. I just noticed they went not detail about who transported them but didn't say where the items came from. if they hadn't mentioned the shipping might not have stuck out...or maybe it would have since I dnt trust them with this treasury money
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
You comrade bloggers, the mere asking too many procurement questions might give certain people christmas decorations and lights anxiety.
John 5 years, 4 months ago
Last for years? Strong winds already have some blowing away.
sealice 5 years, 4 months ago
100,000 GRAND ON BLOOD LIGHTS AND ARE KIDS STILL HAVE "D" AVERAGES - THANKS FOR NOTHIN MY GUBMINT MAN!!
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
Seems like comrade crown member is saying the MOW and BPL each individually procured their own sets christmas lights..... and from sounds talk it sure seems like the perceived thieves didn't bother stealing the already procured and paid for christmas decorations and lights the Imperial reds minister found left behind in storage..... and. who exactly determined the existing stock of christmas lights were all blown out.... likes did minister receive and review a written christmas decorations and lights analysis? For sure the crown member seemed more alarmed over cost hairdo than his spending $100,000 out PeoplesPublicPurse to pretty up we poles and couple roundabouts but read nice lady the riot act over the picture taking pretting up ladies hairdo for fistfull dollars? { Why both makeup negatives over free spending ways Imperial crown's reds? }.
DWW 5 years, 4 months ago
It is a whole lot better than the contract last year. $100k vs $1.5m. All the above can go sit small.
Damifiknow 5 years, 4 months ago
And you little people ......corn beef an rice!
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
Ma comrade DWK, means you don't have issue with your government sending $1.5 million christmas decorations and lights to dump...... why didn't minister not send decorations to out islands spruce up islanders christmas..... wouldn't a hand down christmas be better than no decorations or lights? Certainly somethin' procurement we Queen needs keep both her eyes focused at.
DWW 5 years, 4 months ago
I do not condone any of it. But governments will spend. This goes to show that the previous $1.5M contract put almost exactly $1,450,000 in one person's pocket. while this time $100k was actually spent to purchase a durable good. stop with your useless idle political chatter it helps no one, it benefits nothing. maybe try to raise the standard of dialogue in this country instead of just being a donkey.
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
Ma comrade, I'll take it you're not big ass fan my posts?
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 4 months ago
"stop with your useless idle political chatter it helps no one, it benefits nothing. maybe try to raise the standard of dialogue in this country instead of just being a donkey."
Dnt worry, they're referring to the Oban shenanigans carried out by Dr Minnis.
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