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.
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