The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Super Value’s president yesterday said the supermarket chain would apply to the Government’s roadworks relief initiative, even though it was likely owed more - on its own - than the total $15 million compensation package being made available.

Rupert Roberts told Tribune Business that Super Value would be applying for the 18-month, 10 per cent discount on electricity bills, plus the six-month Business Licence and real property tax exemptions that the Government was offering.

Noting that four-five Super Value locations were impacted by the New Providence Road Improvement Project, Mr Roberts said that if his entire chain was included, the electricity bill cost savings could amount to $720,000.

He based this on Super Value’s monthly energy bill of around $400,000, the 18 months’ worth of relief and the 10 per cent discount. And the Business Licence exemption will also save the supermarket chain around $500,000.

But, while Mr Roberts moves to make sure Super Value applies for relief by the Ministry of Finance’s January 18 deadline, another business with multiple locations impacted by the roadworks disclosed that it was going to pass on the opportunity.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, Superwash’s president, told Tribune Business that while the laundromat chain had lost sales, he would not apply to the Government relief initiative because there were “people out there more worthy than me”.

He suggested that companies with deeper pockets should leave the roadworks relief to “grassroots businesses” and those entities that needed financial assistance “the most”.

Meanwhile, Mr Roberts told Tribune Business: “Yes, we’re going to apply for everything that’s offered. I have to see if we can comply with that [the January 18 deadline].”

He added that four-five Super Value locations had been impacted by the New Providence Road Improvement Project, primarily the ones at Golden Gates, Blue Hill Road, Robinson Road and Prince Charles Drive.

When asked whether Super Value would be able to recover all the roadworks-related losses it sustained from the Government’s relief initiative, Mr Roberts replied: “They offered a package of $15 million. I said: ‘Mister, I think you owe me more than that’.”

Noting that Super Value would not be applying for a micro loan from the Bahamas Development Bank, another component of the relief programme, Mr Roberts said the supermarket chain would likely focus on the electricity bill discount and Business Licence exemption.

“That’s all we’ll probably claim on,” Mr Roberts said. “At least that’s a little cash, but to our little members [of the Coconut Grove Business League] that’ll be nothing; 10 per cent on a $600 power bill, an exemption on a $200 Business Licence.”

Some observers might see Super Value’s decision to apply to the Government’s relief plan as something of an about turn, given that Mr Roberts has been among the leading members of the Coconut Grove Business League (CGBL), which has repeatedly said the $15 million plan was not enough and pledged to reinstate legal action.

Mr Roberts, though, yesterday told Tribune Business that the CGBL was proceeding with its legal action plans.

He added: “I think we’d be better off with a legal settlement than a political one. Under the political one, they say they don’t have any money.”

But, taking a different approach, Mr D’Aguilar said: “While some people might have sustained losses, the pot is only so big. I would think it would be proper and ethical that.... if your business has allowed you to maintain a certain amount of wealth, you have to be a good citizen, and have a duty to defer to people who need it.

“I don’t anticipate filing for it, because while it did hurt me, I am sure there are far more people out there more worthy than me. Let people out there who need it the most get it, and if you don’t need it, leave it to those who really do.”

While the New Providence Road Improvement Project’s construction had “been painful” for Superwash, and resulted in the loss of car parking space, Mr D’Aguilar said the laundromat chain was now benefiting from an improved road network.

He added that the Government’s initiative was targeted chiefly at “grassroots businesses” with one location, which was in the areas hardest hit.

“I don’t really need it, so I’m not going to apply for it,” Mr D’Aguilar told Tribune Business. “If you apply and don’t need it, you’re making your wealth a bit greater and it’s not filtering down into the community. .

“Customers did not go to Superwash branches in affected areas, but nine out of 10 went to another of my businesses.

“Unfortunately, the sophisticated businesses are in a better position to apply because they’ve got the internal records to do it, but I don’t think they’re the most deserving.”