The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN contractor's Association (BCA) president Godfrey Forbes said that payment bonds for contractors should be considered, telling Tribune Business that many contractors were unable to secure payment from clients even after completing projects to satisfactory standards.

Speaking with Tribune Business at the BCA's inaugural Regional Conference of Caribbean Contractors Mr Forbes noted that such occurrences had become prevalent over the years. "We have seen a whole lot of that over the years, some more greater than others. We find that in some cases contractors still have to turn around and negotiate a final sum just to go ahead and get payment," said Mr Forbes.

"We have our challenges from time to time where contractors complete their jobs satisfactorily and at the end o the day they find that they can't get paid. There is no recourse other than actually trying to go ahead and file a lawsuit against that client. My personal experience has shown me that that can take years before it even gets to court. Trying to get a settlement can take vern longer. I think in our country today if we as contractors are going to have to give bond to show that we can go ahead and perform, in like manner we need to have payment bond. Once there is confirmation that the contractor has performed to satisfaction, we need to ensure that there is some mechanism in place so that he is compensated fairly."

Mr Forbes noted that lien laws were also discussed at the conference as a possible option in such cases. "The lien law aspect is another alternative through the court system. Lien laws is one of the means by which some of our clients would think twice before putting the contractor over hot hot coals so to speak when at the end of the day a lien can be filed against their property to secure payment," said Mr Forbes.