Baha Mar, Yea or Nay!

By Felix Bethel
Rough Cut
jonesbahamas



While we recognize that some of our fellow-Bahamians might cower in the face of opposition, we will not be deterred by some of the noise in the market that emanates from some of our brothers and sisters who are apparently opposed to the Baha Mar project.

So, today, with our eyes are focused on the price of the fish; we reiterate our support for the self-same Bahama Mar project.

And for sure, we hope and pray that the current administration will – yet- throw their support behind the venture; thus bringing to an amicable conclusion negotiations that have gone on for far too long.

In addition, we are fairly sure that there are other investors who are watching closely as one administration continues with a project initiated by its predecessor – watching to see the extent to which “politics” must be factored into their calculus of costs versus benefits of doing business in the Bahamas.

Here let there be no mistake about the importance of this matter; one that brings with it some very high stakes for the entire nation.

As we have previously suggested and explained, “…Let there be no mistake about the matter at hand – the Baha Mar project is a very big deal; it is not only a big deal to the investors who are putting their money on the line; but for sure, it is a huge deal for both the government and the people of The Bahamas.

“And here, let there be no mistake about another aspect of the matter involving this project – this project brings with it a large chance that – once completed – tens of thousands of Bahamians will benefit, either directly or indirectly…”

This remains our view; thus today, we find ourselves [for better or worse and thus like a host of other right-thinking Bahamians] in a most unlikely position; this being that while we are all fulsome in our support of the Baha Mar investment project, we are apparently at loggerheads with the nation’s chief.

We are now left to wonder why Mr. Ingraham apparently sees things so very differently; and in our wonderment, we note that while it was Mr. Ingrham himself who personally tabled the resolution in Parliament, with 100% support from the FNM MPs, approving the labor permits for the required skilled expatriate labor force necessary to help build Baha Mar; today it is the prime minister himself who now decries the Chinese labor requirements.
And for sure, there is more.

Here we note another reversal; this one concerning the time when the Ingraham administration itself somehow or the other, forced the Baha Mar project to enter into a Supplemental Heads of Agreement; this one requiring the entire project to be built in one phase, and imposing penalties if it is not.

Now that things have apparently changed or gone sour; we note that the prime minister has completely reversed himself and that he now demands that the project should be constructed in multiple phases.

Here the implication is clear; such a move would incur more costs to the investor and commensurately, reduced economic and job benefits to the Bahamas.

In this latter instance of losses projected, we can recite some who stand to lose most: Bahamian contractors and their employees; the Bahamian labor unions; community leaders; and countless Bahamian businesses, including the Chamber of Commerce.

In light of the foregoing, we reiterate a point previously made to the effect that this Baha Mar project is good for the Bahamas and that as such, its approval should be put on the fast track.

In addition, we would very much like both the governing party and its Opposition to know that each would do itself a world of good by working together so as to bring about an optimal resolution as regards the same Chinese funded initiative.

Incidentally, all of these groups and interests support the Baha Mar project and recognize the immediate and real benefits they will gain from its going forward.

As we have previously framed the issue at hand; so today we reiterate our view to the effect that, “…Those law-makers who mean this country and its people well should – as a matter of the most urgent priority – cease and desist from any tricks or shenanigans which might either detract from or otherwise distract them from supporting the Baha Mar venture.

Yet again, we make this plea to these men and women because of some of what we perceive as little more than pious nit-picking on the part of some politicians who are making – as far as we are concerned – a mountain of what is surely a very real mole-hill; that being with the Chinese request for thousands of expatriate workers who would assist in constructing the resort complex.

Evidently, now is the time for a yea or a nay on that matter involving Baha Mar and its myriad of opportunities for the Bahamian people.

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International