New Providence
BCA Board Calls on the Minister of Works
By Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
Jun 21, 2017 - 11:43:37 AM

The Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Works, Honourable T. Desmond Bannister to welcome him to his post and update him. Shown in the photo sitting from left to right are: Craig Delancey, building control officer, Ministry of Works (MOW), Tameka Hanna, vice-chairman, BCA,­ Hon. T. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Works, Leonard Sands, chairman, BCA and Michael Pratt, treasurer, BCA. Standing from left to right are: Anya Symonette, personal assistant, MOW, Brent Ferguson, assistant building officer, Odley Aritis, trustee, BCA, Robyn Lee Ogilvie, secretary, BCA, Charles Kemp, councilman, BCA, Caldwell Pratt, deputy director, Public Works, Adelma Roach, legal advisor, MOW and Colin Higgs, permanent secretary, MOW. Unable to attend the meeting were members of the BCA team: H.E. Tony Joudi, trustee, BCA and councilmen, John-Michael Clarke, Danny Lowe and Peter C. Roker. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Nassau, Bahamas – On June 16, 2017, the Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) paid a courtesy call on the new Minister of Works, the Honourable T. Desmond Bannister and members of his team.

Since 1958, the Bahamian Contractors Association has been widely considered the voice of the construction industry. The Association has made numerous contributions with its most notable achievement being the landmark, Contractors Bill which was recently passed in the House of Assembly.

Feedback from the Minister on the Contractors Bill was requested since the Bill was in the legislative process, given that it had been published in The Bahamas Government Gazette in December 2016.  BCA Chairman Leonard Sands stated, “We are happy to see the Bill finally become an Act and move towards enactment, as this has been a long and arduous process.”

During the meeting, Minister Bannister expressed his optimism on the positive working relationship between his Ministry and the Bahamian Contractors Association. The BCA requested that they play a stronger advisory role to the Government in matters of significance regarding foreign direct investment projects. This will allow open dialogue with respect to skillsets and availability of the country’s technical labour force which can lead to larger employment opportunities, instead of foreign labour being imported.

The BCA looks forward to a continued working relationship with the Ministry of Works as previously established, and with all partners. The BCA will continue to hold educational workshops, expand their membership development, and work to protect the rights of Bahamian contractors. For more information visit www.bahamascontractors.org.

 

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