More than half of Mario's Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace's nearly $200,000 electricity bill was paid yesterday, according to a statement issued by the company.
The statement came two days after The Nassau Guardian revealed that Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller and his family-owned businesses -- Sunburst Paints and Mario's -- owed the corporation a total of $239,533.33.
BEC records obtained by The Guardian showed that a Harrold Road bowling alley, owned by Summer Winds Investments Company Ltd., owed the corporation $193,159.56 as of Monday.
Those records also showed that a Harrold Road building registered with BEC in Miller's name owed the corporation $46,373.77.
In its statement yesterday, Mario's Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace said it made a $100,000 payment on the balance of its bill.
"As managing directors of Mario's Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace along with Summer Winds Investments Company Ltd, we are cognizant of the fact that our country has encountered difficult economic challenges," read the statement.
"Like any other business in The Bahamas, we have felt the sting from this blow.
"Mario's Bowling and Entertainment Family Palace is over 200,000 square-feet of space that generates between $20,000 to $30,000 monthly in utility supplies.
"This bill far exceeds the cost of any Bahamian household, and has not compiled over the years or a year.
"Most businesses in our country face this unfortunate dilemma and had to seek a monthly or weekly payment plan at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation in order to keep their doors open."
The company said with the "substantial payment" made, it expects to bring the balance down and have the remaining balance paid "in the shortest amount of time possible".
Miller, who has come under heavy criticism over the controversial matter, said his daughters informed him yesterday that they made the payment to BEC by a cashier's check.
As for Sunburst Paints, Miller said a payment arrangement has been made with BEC, but he did not say whether he has paid anything on the bill since Monday.
He said the company will maintain its current bill and make payments toward the outstanding balance until the total bill is paid.
Asked whether any previous arrangement was in place for the company, Miller said this was the first payment arrangement.
According to the BEC records, a payment had not been made on Sunburst Paints' account since October 2013.

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