The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said the government is still considering how it can assist individuals and businesses negatively impacted by the New Providence Infrastructure Improvement Project.

Mr Christie said while a final decision has yet to be made on exactly how compensation will be handled, the government will talk to anyone who has a grievance.

“We will meet with anyone who has been affected by the road works to listen to what their story is and to see how we can assist them,” he said.

“It’s all a question of our being able to be sympathetic, understanding and to see what in fact – if anything – we are able to do to assist them.”

Earlier this year, the former FNM administration conducted a survey to identify the extent to which businesses were affected by road closures and detours, as a precursor to a compensation scheme.

In March, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced in the House of Assembly details of the plan.

Mr Ingraham explained the survey would compile information, including the expenses, revenue, profits, accounts receivable and payable during the period 2007 to 2011 for each business that claimed to have been affected.

Armed with the results of the survey, Mr Ingraham said, the government would be in a position to determine the major parameters of a financial assistance programme.

“Businesses that are in operation as well as any that may have closed temporarily as a result of the roadwork will be included in the survey,” Mr Ingraham said.

“The results of the survey will help us determine how best we might lend economic or financial assistance to those business establishments adversely impacted by the works.”

But the survey was criticised by members of the Coconut Grove Business League.

Mr Christie said a formal meeting has yet to be scheduled with business owners, however, the government is thinking about possible forms of compensation and assistance.

“There may be some creative ways that we can help them and I have some ideas on that,” he said.