Baha Mar's move to publicly blame the contractor of the $3.5 billion project in western New Providence for the delay in its opening has been called "wholly inappropriate" by the contractor's local company.

"CCA and its related companies have successfully delivered complex projects throughout the world with values ranging into the billions of dollars," said China Construction America Bahamas Ltd. in a statement last night.

"While the Baha Mar project has presented many challenges, CCA (Bahamas) has responded to those challenges professionally and effectively.

"The statements by the developer of the Baha Mar project laying blame upon CCA (Bahamas) for its decision to delay the announced opening of this project are wholly inappropriate and inconsistent with the history of this project."

Baha Mar announced on Tuesday that the resort would not open on Friday as had been expected. The resort is now scheduled to open in May.

Initially, Baha Mar was scheduled to open in December.

The Baha Mar statement was harsh in its criticism of the contractor of the resort, China State Construction Engineering Corporation,of which China Construction America and China Construction America Bahamas Ltd.are subsidiaries.

"In setting our opening date for March 27, we relied in good faith on the representations of the resort's construction manager and lead contractor," said Baha Mar.

"Last Friday (March 20), based on this party's repeated assurances, Baha Mar announced that it would begin a paced opening beginning March 27 and culminating in its grand opening scheduled for early May.

"Subsequently, it has become clear that the contractor has not completed the work with an attention to detail consistent with Baha Mar standards of excellence."

In rejecting the blame and criticism by Baha Mar, the contractor pledged to deliver a resort of the highest standard.

"That said, CCA (Bahamas) will continue to perform its obligations in a professional manner and will deliver a quality resort in the earliest possible time," said CCA Bahamas.

"CCA (Bahamas) remains committed to constructing a resort that will bring pride to the Bahamian people."

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