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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Roberts: Government’s sole focus is to get Baha Mar opened
By Bradley B. Roberts, National Chairman Progressive Liberal Party
Aug 5, 2015 - 11:07:14 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas - Statement by Bradley B. Roberts, National Chairman Progressive Liberal Party:
Notwithstanding the vitriolic rhetoric of the Developer in letters to his staff, the Progressive Liberal Party maintains that the sole focus and objective of Bahamas Government is the completion and opening of the Baha Mar resort as soon as possible. Every policy decision and action taken by the government supports this expressed singular objective.
The Developer knows full well that if he pays the contractor the resort can be completed and opened THIS YEAR IN TIME FOR THE WINTER SEASON. Further, the Contractor has demonstrated its commitment to completing the project by agreeing to a six-figure penalty for daily delays and a seven-figure sum for delays beyond a further agreed completion date.
Mr. Izmirlian personally signed a contract with the government. The Government satisfied itself that his billionaire family could afford to pay to complete the project. Additionally, the contract stipulates that in the event of cost overruns, the Developer is to fund the completion of the project and seek legal redress after the fact; the contract was deliberately structured in this matter to avoid unnecessary delays to the completion and opening of the resort.
The project is 97% complete. The Government and Bahamian people want the project complete for the benefit of BAHAMIANS. Mr. Izmirlian should put aside his differences with the contractor and get the 3% remaining on the project completed.
If he can't or won't get Baha Mar finished and opened, an independent provisional liquidator under the supervision of the independent Bahamian court can get the Baha Mar finished and opened AND if urgently appointed, can do so this year.
That is the Government's plan! Pure and simple!
The Developer has played his hand. It is patently clear that he is obstructing the completion and opening of the project and is after his own gain. He declared bankruptcy without notice because he is anti Bahamian. How else can he explain his decision knowing that the consequence of his bankruptcy filing is to allow him to walk away from the more than $100 million in debt owed to Bahamian creditors and the Bahamian government and the legal contractual obligations to his partners; this is wrong.
And what government of a sovereign nation worth its salt would stand by idly and quietly and allow this to happen to its people? Not this current government.
If Izmirlian is pro Bahamian and cared for the welfare of his employees as he continuously claim in letter after letter, he will pay the contractor and get the project completed and the resort opened. It is only a matter of time before the 2,500 Baha Mar employees pose these very same questions to him.
Mr. Izmirlian must not hold Bahamians hostage while he fights his battle with the contractor and tries to dodge paying his loan to the Bank.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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