Forward with Baha Mar
The Bahama Journal Editorial
By way of this commentary, 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.
We base our conclusion in our conviction that –as designed- this project promises to double the marketing this country now enjoys.
This in turn, promises any number of ancillary benefits.
As Stephen Wrinkle, Bahamas Contractors Association underscores: "Remember what an impact we had when they built phase three of Atlantis. What they’re doing with Baha Mar is equal to all of the phases they did at Atlantis and they’re doing it one phase. This is a big deal…"
As regards the question concerning labor and its role in the realization of the Baha Mar project, Mr. Wrinkle said they were sorely needed.
Here Wrinkle notes that, “…They are calling for 8,000 workers out there; 4,000 workers have got to be found; we can’t provide 4,000 workers. We’d be hard pressed to provide half of that. On these big international projects it’s just a fact of life. We’ve sat at the table; the BCA has tried to represent the interests of Bahamian contractors and workers and we’ve had some success with Baha Mar; they’ve been receptive."
For our part, then, we are very optimistic concerning the goods that come packaged in with this initiative. And so today, we can go no further except to note that, Baha Mar is apparently well on its way to becoming a done deal; this because the current administration has apparently been satisfied with the outcome of prime minister Ingraham’s talks in Beijing on the matter in hand.
This is eminently good news for the Bahamian people.
We wish all well who worked so long and so hard to bring this matter to this state of high resolution. Parenthetically so to speak, this venture yet owes a debt of gratitude not only to the current administration; but also to its predecessor.
And so today we note that, time, reason and commonsense having been congealed into something akin to real understanding are apparently working their magic in a Bahamas where petulance, spite and nit-picking sometimes wreak havoc.
And for sure, as we have consistently lamented, these are surely some of the hardest days experienced by most Bahamians alive in what some of them might deem a ‘modern’ Bahamas.
It is just as true that, some of these Bahamians –having grown accustomed to relatively prosperous times – are beside themselves in distress.
While these hard times might well persist for an indefinite length of time, there is reason for some optimism as certain storm clouds recede; with some of these once shadowing the Baha Mar project with a veil of uncertainty.
Mercifully, things seem to be going in the right direction as the government now signals its intention to move forward with this singularly important venture.
Yet again, we reiterate that, we would very much like both the governing party and its Opposition to know that each has done itself a world of good by working together so as to bring about an optimal resolution as regards this 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.
Here we are also quite certain that, in the fullness of time, both parties would come to the conclusion that, each was guilty of making a mountain of a mole-hill as regards the Chinese request for thousands of expatriate workers who would assist in constructing the resort complex.
In this regard, we advise all and sundry that, this matter is not the biggest in the world and that, we all stand to gain tremendously once the Baha Mar project is off and running.
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 we also went on to explain, “…“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.
November 17, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Bahamas Contractors Association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bahamas Contractors Association. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Stephen Wrinkle - Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) President says: It is time for industry involvement in the Baha Mar negotiations
Call for more industry input in Baha Mar negotiations
NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
IT IS time for industry involvement in the Baha Mar negotiations, according to the Bahamas Contractors Association.
Since the BCA submitted its position paper to the government in August it has received no response. Association president Stephen Wrinkle said "it seems to be the typical way of doing business" that industry stakeholders are not consulted.
Mr Wrinkle's comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham making his strongest personal statements yet on the Baha Mar issue.
Now that the financial hurdles have been overcome, Mr Wrinkle said he hopes the major stakeholders - Baha Mar, government and industry - will be brought together to iron out the remaining kinks.
"I would have thought more industry consultation would have taken place. They certainly have access to people in the industry through the Ministry of Works, but then again that is a government ministry," said Mr Wrinkle.
"We met with the opposition party and their caucus; we briefed them on our position paper and had discussions. We have met with Baha Mar and had discussions with them, but we have had absolutely no response from the government. I couldn't elaborate any further on what their position is because we don't know," he said.
Last week Mr Ingraham suggested Baha Mar may have to review the labour component of its proposal as well as plans for a "single-phased development" in order to satisfy the government's concerns.
One of the main concerns of industry, according to Mr Wrinkle, is the involvement of Bahamian contractors and the transfer of knowledge.
"These big international contracts are extremely difficult to micro-manage at a small level. It will take additional resources on their part to include more Bahamian contractors. It will take more oversight, more management, more participation from the project management team. We understand that," said Mr Wrinkle.
"I think there are concessions that have been given and others that are available to offset this added expense. The tradeoff is well worth it," he said.
On the matter of transferring knowledge, Mr Wrinkle said foreign contractors are not interested in transferring knowledge at the level of labour.
If the focus is only on supplying labour, he said, there would likely be little transfer of knowledge.
"How do you transfer knowledge on how to drive a shovel? That is nothing. We don't need that type of transfer of knowledge. We need to capitalise on techniques and technologies that are unavailable to us on the local market.
"There is not transfer at knowledge at the labour level. It is the duty of the government, the responsibility of government to put in place measures to ensure participation of the local industry. We cannot do it on our own," he said.
So far, Baha Mar has been responsive to the concerns of industry representatives, according to Mr Wrinkle.
However, there are currently no pledges on the table for money to be allocated for training and no stipulations requiring Baha Mar to integrate Bahamian contractors and their crews into the Baha Mar project.
October 09, 2010
tribune242
NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
IT IS time for industry involvement in the Baha Mar negotiations, according to the Bahamas Contractors Association.
Since the BCA submitted its position paper to the government in August it has received no response. Association president Stephen Wrinkle said "it seems to be the typical way of doing business" that industry stakeholders are not consulted.
Mr Wrinkle's comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham making his strongest personal statements yet on the Baha Mar issue.
Now that the financial hurdles have been overcome, Mr Wrinkle said he hopes the major stakeholders - Baha Mar, government and industry - will be brought together to iron out the remaining kinks.
"I would have thought more industry consultation would have taken place. They certainly have access to people in the industry through the Ministry of Works, but then again that is a government ministry," said Mr Wrinkle.
"We met with the opposition party and their caucus; we briefed them on our position paper and had discussions. We have met with Baha Mar and had discussions with them, but we have had absolutely no response from the government. I couldn't elaborate any further on what their position is because we don't know," he said.
Last week Mr Ingraham suggested Baha Mar may have to review the labour component of its proposal as well as plans for a "single-phased development" in order to satisfy the government's concerns.
One of the main concerns of industry, according to Mr Wrinkle, is the involvement of Bahamian contractors and the transfer of knowledge.
"These big international contracts are extremely difficult to micro-manage at a small level. It will take additional resources on their part to include more Bahamian contractors. It will take more oversight, more management, more participation from the project management team. We understand that," said Mr Wrinkle.
"I think there are concessions that have been given and others that are available to offset this added expense. The tradeoff is well worth it," he said.
On the matter of transferring knowledge, Mr Wrinkle said foreign contractors are not interested in transferring knowledge at the level of labour.
If the focus is only on supplying labour, he said, there would likely be little transfer of knowledge.
"How do you transfer knowledge on how to drive a shovel? That is nothing. We don't need that type of transfer of knowledge. We need to capitalise on techniques and technologies that are unavailable to us on the local market.
"There is not transfer at knowledge at the labour level. It is the duty of the government, the responsibility of government to put in place measures to ensure participation of the local industry. We cannot do it on our own," he said.
So far, Baha Mar has been responsive to the concerns of industry representatives, according to Mr Wrinkle.
However, there are currently no pledges on the table for money to be allocated for training and no stipulations requiring Baha Mar to integrate Bahamian contractors and their crews into the Baha Mar project.
October 09, 2010
tribune242
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Stephen Wrinkle, Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) president said the Baha Mar project could drain the country of workers in a "New York minute", and leave Bahamian contractors "left on the side lines."
Fears Baha Mar could drain country of workers
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
If Baha Mar drains the labour pool of Bahamian workers then contractors will be left twiddling their thumbs, according to the Bahamas Contractors Association.
Stephen Wrinkle, BCA president said the project could drain the country of workers in a "New York minute", and leave Bahamian contractors "left on the side lines." It has happened before and it could happen again, he said. "(Atlantis) drained our labour pool and caused the labour rates to go up; the supply of skilled labour was at a bare minimum for local contractors. It was that experience that caused us to learn you cannot just take the labour. Otherwise what is the point of having Bahamian contractors. Why not just have a labour agent," said Mr Wrinkle.
The situation will not be different this time around unless the government requires Baha Mar to insert specific language in any final agreement mandating the participation of Bahamian contractors and funding to train Bahamians.
His comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham calling the labour component of Baha Mar "onerous, burdensome and unacceptable."
Baha Mar has requested work permits for 8150 foreign workers over the life span of the $2.6 billion project and pledged $60 million in the first instance for Bahamian contractors two work on phase one.
"There are very few contractors poised to participate in the scope of work. We are trying to press the point that they need to employ contractors who would be able to bring their crew and the full resources of the company to the project. Otherwise we are going to have a whole bunch of contractors standing around with no crew," said Mr Wrinkle.
In the long run, he said, the direct trickle down effect from employing Bahamian contractors will be significantly higher than with foreign contractors.
"They have no need to inject money into our local economy. Their priority is to take our labour. What we continue to say is this is the wrong approach, because all we are doing is providing maids and spades. That cannot work; our economy cannot work in a labour only supply environment. We need to see the mandatory inclusion and provision of Bahamian contractors rather than simply bringing in foreign contractors to suck up our labour supply," said Mr Wrinkle.
There were many lessons learned by the industry from the "Kerzner experience." Tribune sources say the number of Mexican and Filipino workers hired to build Atlantis reached the thousands, although Atlantis is often referenced as the poster child for employing Bahamian construction workers.
Mr Wrinkle said that is a fair assessment. It is a well known fact that the Bahamas does not have a sufficient number of workers to fill the labour needs of large foreign direct investment (FDI) projects like Atlantis and Baha Mar, he said.
Mr Wrinkle speculated that is why the Prime Minister "was hoping Baha Mar could be phased, so we wouldn't need that tremendous injection of foreign labour."
That is why it is important for the government to ensure the participation of Bahamian contractors and not just labourers on FDI projects, he said.
In the case of Atlantis, Mr Wrinkle said it was only because of the persistence of the BCA that Bahamian contractors got a piece of the Atlantis pie.
"It took us until phase three to have substantial participation on that project. We fought long and hard against Atlantis before we finally got a piece of the pie over there. It was not a gift. Mr Kerzner did not voluntarily employ Bahamians.
"At the end of the day we were successful at negotiating with them for the participation of Bahamian contractors," he said.
October 09, 2010
tribune242
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
If Baha Mar drains the labour pool of Bahamian workers then contractors will be left twiddling their thumbs, according to the Bahamas Contractors Association.
Stephen Wrinkle, BCA president said the project could drain the country of workers in a "New York minute", and leave Bahamian contractors "left on the side lines." It has happened before and it could happen again, he said. "(Atlantis) drained our labour pool and caused the labour rates to go up; the supply of skilled labour was at a bare minimum for local contractors. It was that experience that caused us to learn you cannot just take the labour. Otherwise what is the point of having Bahamian contractors. Why not just have a labour agent," said Mr Wrinkle.
The situation will not be different this time around unless the government requires Baha Mar to insert specific language in any final agreement mandating the participation of Bahamian contractors and funding to train Bahamians.
His comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham calling the labour component of Baha Mar "onerous, burdensome and unacceptable."
Baha Mar has requested work permits for 8150 foreign workers over the life span of the $2.6 billion project and pledged $60 million in the first instance for Bahamian contractors two work on phase one.
"There are very few contractors poised to participate in the scope of work. We are trying to press the point that they need to employ contractors who would be able to bring their crew and the full resources of the company to the project. Otherwise we are going to have a whole bunch of contractors standing around with no crew," said Mr Wrinkle.
In the long run, he said, the direct trickle down effect from employing Bahamian contractors will be significantly higher than with foreign contractors.
"They have no need to inject money into our local economy. Their priority is to take our labour. What we continue to say is this is the wrong approach, because all we are doing is providing maids and spades. That cannot work; our economy cannot work in a labour only supply environment. We need to see the mandatory inclusion and provision of Bahamian contractors rather than simply bringing in foreign contractors to suck up our labour supply," said Mr Wrinkle.
There were many lessons learned by the industry from the "Kerzner experience." Tribune sources say the number of Mexican and Filipino workers hired to build Atlantis reached the thousands, although Atlantis is often referenced as the poster child for employing Bahamian construction workers.
Mr Wrinkle said that is a fair assessment. It is a well known fact that the Bahamas does not have a sufficient number of workers to fill the labour needs of large foreign direct investment (FDI) projects like Atlantis and Baha Mar, he said.
Mr Wrinkle speculated that is why the Prime Minister "was hoping Baha Mar could be phased, so we wouldn't need that tremendous injection of foreign labour."
That is why it is important for the government to ensure the participation of Bahamian contractors and not just labourers on FDI projects, he said.
In the case of Atlantis, Mr Wrinkle said it was only because of the persistence of the BCA that Bahamian contractors got a piece of the Atlantis pie.
"It took us until phase three to have substantial participation on that project. We fought long and hard against Atlantis before we finally got a piece of the pie over there. It was not a gift. Mr Kerzner did not voluntarily employ Bahamians.
"At the end of the day we were successful at negotiating with them for the participation of Bahamian contractors," he said.
October 09, 2010
tribune242
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