Miller threatens hotels 'out west'

Wed, Sep 17th 2014, 11:04 AM

Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller yesterday warned the "the three hotels out west" to pay their outstanding electricity bills by the end of the week or face disconnection.
Miller said they collectively owe the corporation more than $30 million.
He said BEC is struggling with a fuel bill that exceeds $100 million.
Miller initially made his comments while a guest on the More FM radio show "Real Talk Live" with Ortland Bodie.
He repeated them in an interview with The Nassau Guardian, but did not specifically name the hotels.
When asked if Baha Mar is among those with delinquent accounts, Miller said, "All of them. All of the hotels out west".
Miller said BEC can no longer allow the hotels to remain delinquent.
"It is imperative that we now try and collect as much as we can from the major hotels in this country," he said.
"They owe us an enormous amount of money that we need to collect.
"Right now, we are in a very, very tight situation with our major [fuel] supplier.
"We owe them in excess of $100 million right now and we've got to come up with about $55 million to enable us to get our next supply of fuel.
"I am asking those major hotels, they know who they are, to assist us in getting these funds to enable us to defray the cost for the fuel.
"If not, we are going to be in serious trouble. We do not want to revert to getting funding, but we are in a tight situation right now.
"We are asking all of our customers to assist us as best they can, but the hotels are the ones that have some big money outstanding.
"It is time now that they come and sit with us and give us the checks that are necessary to enable us not to turn them off.
"If not, I think this week, we are not going to have any choice except to send the message that the woman in Bain Town and in the Grove is no different from the hotels.
"In fact, she should be given more preference than the major entities."
In June, The Nassau Guardian revealed that Miller and one of his family-owned businesses collectively owed BEC nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
After that revelation, one of Miller's relatives made a $100,000 cash payment on the account.
Despite his own failure to pay his bill, Miller has repeatedly threatened delinquent commercial consumers.
Miller said the hotel owners and management will run to the prime minister and deputy prime minister to reverse his decision if it comes to that, but BEC has to take action.
He said the corporation was drafting letters, requesting that the hotels meet with BEC officials and come to terms.
He said those letters were expected to be sent out yesterday.
"If we do not get a response, we will make a decision to terminate their services until they come in a deal with us," Miller said.
"I realize they are going to run to the government, the prime minister and the deputy prime minister, but I see them really as being no different from ordinary Bahamians, who are catching eternal hell in this country."
He said he understands some hotels are experiencing financial challenges.
But he insisted that those hotels must pay something and arrange a payment plan.
When contacted for comment, Robert "Sandy" Sands, senior vice president, administration and external affairs at Baha Mar, said the hotel does not discuss its internal affairs.
Pressed on whether Baha Mar has outstanding arrears with the corporation, Sands declined to comment.
Calls placed to officials at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and SuperClubs Breezes were not returned up to press time.
It is unclear whether these hotels are among those that have significant arrears.
When pressed for specifics on the matter, Miller said, "All the hotels in this country owe us money, except for Atlantis.
"Atlantis is our best payer. Atlantis pays us in excess of $5 million per month, and I thank God for Atlantis," he said.
"They are the type of corporate citizen that is wanted and needed in this country. So is Rupert Roberts (Super Value owner).
"But the [other] hotels have become delinquent to the point where it is hurting the financial capability of BEC.
"When it gets to that point, you either sit with us, work it out and give us a check, or we will terminate the service."
Miller said BEC has no intention of requesting any funds from the government when it can collect on the more than $185 million in accounts receivables.
Miller has previously threatened to disconnect major hotels and large commercial consumers over their arrears.
It is unclear whether his latest threat will lead to disconnections.
Miller's renewed threat came a day after he announced the corporation is in the process of purchasing six new generators.
He did not say how much the generators will cost.
BEC has been plagued with a series of failed generators, forcing it to load shed this summer.

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