The Coconut Grove Business League (CGBL) yesterday rejected the government's Road Work Compensation Programme slated to start next week. The league will meet this week to discuss their counter proposal, according to spokesman Ethric Bowe, who said the league will be advocating for legal and fair proceedings. Mr Bowe added that the league will continue its plans to refile for damages in the Supreme court.

In the lead up to the 2012 general elections, the then opposition Progressive Liberal Party promised to fully compensate all businesses affected by the New Providence Road Improvement Project. However, Mr Bowe said the government’s statement outlining benefits had “nothing in that can be defined as compensation.” “That’s not compensation,” said Mr Bowe, “that just won’t do. They sent the initial proposal that’s fine, now we’re gonna send a counter proposal. “What they are doing now, I don’t even know what they are calling this.

They are trying to get you to pay yourself from your own pocket.” According to a government release sent out yesterday, applications for the programme will be made available today at the Ministry of Finance and on its website. Components of the plan include: the creation of a deferred electricity payment plan; discounted advertising with the Broadcasting Corporation; customs duty deferment; a micro loan facility; and business license and property tax rebates. Applicants should expect to receive a certificate of enrolment detailing the level of assistance granted within 10 working days, and this certificate will be used to access benefits at various government agencies.

“Every situation” said Mr Bowe, “is different, so the compensation approach should be based on the situation. “Businesses that have already closed down, how can they benefit from an electricity discount? Like they say with Romney it ain’t adding up.” Another feature the league expects will generate financing for compensation and relieve strain on the government cash flow is “customs credits”, which would allow businesses to sell their tax exemptions to recoup losses. As the league braces itself for another round in the Supreme Court, and if necessary the Privy Council, some members of the business community have criticised the futility of the now two-year-long crusade.

Last month, Superwash president Dionisio D’Aguilar urged the private sector to take a “realistic” approach and accept the government’s package. While he acknowledged the compensation offering as insufficient, Mr D’Aguilar told Tribune Business that the government will “never make right what they did wrong” with the road project and urged the private sector to settle the matter.

However, Mr Bowe maintained yesterday that the matter must set a precedent in the country to discourage unlawful behavior by the government. “We need to cement this precedent in Bahamian law so that in the future the government will find it necessary to behave lawfully. “It’s not the big businesses at stake,” he said, “it’s the small businesses that need so much to be treated fairly. Rich people can take care of themselves.” The CGBL will meet in the Golden Gates Super Value conference room on Friday at 7pm. The deadline for submission to the government compensation programme is January 18.

The minister of works and urban development is defending the government's road works relief package to businesses, insisting that it simply comes down to what the country can afford. Phillip Brave Davis, who is also the deputy prime minister, said he wishes more could be done for the entrepreneurs that lost business or shut down entirely. While the government is willing to negotiate and listen to their concerns, he said the Christie administration's hands are fairly tied on further compensation. That includes the restoration of Baillou Hill Road and Market Street to two-way thoroughfares, a harsh reality that may not sit well with businesses in that area.

"It is one way now. As soon as the roads are turned over, we'll do an assessment and see how they are doing," he said yesterday. "The way the roads have been constructed, it will be a challenge changing them. It would be a nightmare to fix that. But we will listen and engage stakeholders on what is best for them and the country. At the end of the day, it will come down to what we can afford at this time." Last week, Guardian Business exclusively revealed the government's proposed $15 million relief package, which includes a menu of options for reprieve, including a temporary exemption from electricity bills, exemption from property tax and businesses license fees, favorable loan terms and credit on customs duties.

Members of the Coconut Grove Business League (CGBL), made up of about 50 businesses, have voiced their displeasure at the deal. CGBL spokesperson Ethric Bowe argues that the government needs to do the right thing and offer compensation that fits the losses. This specific organization alone has estimated its losses at $40 million. He has also argued strongly for the restoration of Baillou Hill Road and Market Street to two-way roads, calling it essential to the survival of businesses there. "The government never has money. They use the resources of the people to damage some of the people.

So now we have to use the resources of all the people to fix some of the people," Bowe said. Davis told Guardian Business yesterday that there has indeed been a major lack of interaction with those impacted by the road works. The original plan was to ensure businesses were minimally hurt, "but those elements in the execution were missing and not taken into account". Speaking to the road works generally, the minister of works and urban development said the project is now "completely under control".

He revealed that foreign contractor Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles (JCCC) is still actively involved and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, he said The Bahamas will be "tied" to JCCC until January 2014. The government will impose a year-long handing over period, whereby the road works can be evaluated and scrutinized. JCCC could have to go back and do more works based on these evaluations. The handing over period is scheduled to occur in January of next year. Davis said the road works are mostly complete other than final touch-ups. The final cost of road works has been estimated at nearly $200 million. That compares with the original $119 million contracted signed between the previous government and JCCC in 2008. The overall economic impact on The Bahamas has been estimated at up to $300 million after factoring in closed shops and the major loss of business.

The paving portion of the controversial New Providence Road Improvement Program (NPRIP) is expected to be completed in a week, Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Colin Higgs said yesterday. The work was initially scheduled to be completed today. Higgs said while most of the roads have had the final layer of asphalt applied, there is still more work to be done. "All the roads are basically done except a small portion of Village Road which they expect to have paved by the first week of November," Higgs said.

Just over a week ago, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said 15.6 of the 15.7 miles of road which fall under the contract have had the first layer of asphalt applied. Of that, 13.5 miles had the final layer of asphalt applied. Higgs said some progress has been made since then. "Most of the roads now have the second layer," he said. The area that remains incomplete is the intersection of Village, Bernard and Solider Roads. Higgs said once that is completed, contractors will focus on other aspects of the mammoth project, including signage, white lining, sidewalks and curbing. That portion of the project is expected to be completed by early next year.

Following that, the Ministry of Public Works will commission a study on the design of all the roads that fall under the project, which could result in additional roadworks, Davis said during a prior interview. "In some instances you find that the sidewalks when you put them together [are] wider than the road itself," Davis told reporters last month. "So there are a lot of challenges with the accommodation works, and it is the intent that once the roads are turned over to us there will be a study done on road usages, and whatever needs to be corrected will be corrected."

Asked if he expects there will be changes made, Davis said, "There are a lot of complaints already about the design of the roads and if those complaints persist, and after collaboration with road users and businesses impacted by the roads, once we have their input we will decide if we have to make corrections as necessary to make the experience more pleasant for those stakeholders."

In addition to commissioning the study, Davis said the Ministry of Public Works will establish a road maintenence unit to ensure that the roads remain in good condition, especially considering the money invested. The NPRIP will cost $206 million when completed, according to officials. Cost overruns associated with the project are estimated to be $93 million. The government recently signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a $65 million loan to help fund the cost overruns.

Nassau, Bahamas -  The public is advised that effective Tuesday, October 16th, there will be changes to traffic flow at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

There will also be changes to boarding procedures for passengers travelling to non-US international destinations. Next week Tuesday, the new International Arrivals terminal will open for operation at LPIA.

Stage three construction will also commence. As a result of this, the public is advised of the following traffic changes which take effect on October 16, 2012...