The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

HOMEOWNERS embroiled in the long-standing dispute with developers at the controversial Oceania Heights project believe they have finally “come out of the mud” following their meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis on Friday.

The meeting, at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Ministry of Works office, was also attended by one of the developers, Bahamian attorney Anthony Thompson. Mr Thompson, who was accompanied by his legal counsel from Bostwick & Company, was said to have remained tight-lipped and never spoke during the meeting. His fellow developer, Canadian citizen Howard Obront, did not appear.

Still, the disgruntled homeowner group believes its demands and push for a solution to the Oceania Heights saga are starting to gain some traction.

Chris Fleming, who has been a leading figure in the battle with the developers at the Exuma-based $52 million project, expressed optimism that the dispute was moving towards a resolution.

He based this on the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to achieve such an end to a prolonged battle that has threatened to undermine the Bahamas’ reputation as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and second home owners.

Speaking with Tribune Business following the meeting, Mr Fleming said: “I was so pleased that the Deputy Prime Minster was so engaged and took an active role. I do feel we have finally come out of the mud on this, and maybe got some traction.

“Unfortunately, Mr Obront was not here. We wish he were here to enter into this dialogue. Mr Thompson, for legal reasons, chose not to become engaged, not to become involved in any way; he wouldn’t open his mouth.”

The main complaints of Oceania Heights homeowners are that they have been unable to obtain title/conveyancing documents to the properties they have bought; there are questions whether more than $880,000 in Stamp Tax they paid has been passed on to the Treasury; Mr Thompson failed to disclose he was also a beneficial owner of Oceania Heights when acting for the buyers in their purchases; the same lots have been sold to different buyers; and the hotel and other promised amenities have not been constructed. Messrs Obront and Thompson have consistently denied all allegations levelled against them.

Derrick Nedzel, the Colorado-based son of Dr Gleb Nedzel, who had purchased a total of four lots at the Exuma-based project, told Tribune Business: “I’m really appreciative of the Deputy Prime Minister’s time. I think he genuinely wants to see a resolution, as do we, and I think his intervention is going to be crucial for us to reach a solution.

“I’m very hopeful that his intervention is going to get us a resolution that I have not had for four-and-a-half years, and for others even longer.”

Pedro Rolle, president of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce, which agreed to serve as mediator in the dispute, told Tribune Business: “The Deputy Prime Minister pledged to assist in any way he can to speed up the process and bring a resolution to this matter. He is going to meet with the relevant attorneys and ask them what needs to be done to satisfy the home owners who have complaints; that is the essence of the meeting.

“Each individual owner laid out their case, the Deputy Prime Minister took notes and he will seek to address the issues. He is going to meet with the attorneys in a week, and based on what happens then he will get back with all the parties concerned.

“He didn’t go into the specifics of what could be done, because there are certain things that are before the courts. Both parties have said that they are willing to sit down and talk, and if that’s where we are that’s a good thing.”

Neither Mr Davis nor Mr Thompson spoke to Tribune Business following the meeting.