The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) plans to pursue large corporate customers who have built-up multi-million dollar arrears, its executive chairman yesterday accusing the major roadworks contractor of owing $3 million.

Leslie Miller said BEC would “collapse” without Atlantis’s prompt $3 million monthly electricity bill payments, as he singled out other hotels and now-closed businesses for special attention.

Mr Miller, during a press conference at the Corporation’s headquarters, said reducing overtime and BEC’s receivables (monies owed by customers) were key to turning its financial position around.

“If we could collect some major funds from some of the major hotels in this country - one owes us in excess of $10 million- if we could get those kinds of money in, that also affects our bottom line,” he said.

“There is a hotel in Abaco which I think owes us now in excess of $3 million. We have to now go after the major users who owe us money, to collect our money to stay afloat and service the Bahamians people.”

Mr Miller said Atlantis was paying the Corporation $3 million a month for electricity usage, adding that “without Kerzner BEC would collapse”.

“When you go to any hotel you will see your fuel fee,” he added. “The guest is paying most of that bill and the hotel is pocketing the money. Those who don’t want to pay their bill are pocketing the money and still aren’t paying us. We will deal with them over the summer, we’re going to turn them off,” Mr Miller warned.

He added that the Argentinian company, Jose Cartellone Construcciones,, the main contractor on the New Providence Road Improvement Project, owes BEC $3 million.

“Before he leaves we want our money. A lot of the roads they fixed are going to cause us problems in the future because they put those little ramps in the middle of the road and we have no access to a lot of our wires, so even down the road we’re going to be spending extra money,” Mr Miller added.

“Gladstone Farms closed down a few years ago. They left owing us millions. We didn’t collect a penny. Holiday Inn, when they closed down years ago, left BEC high and dry for over $3 million.”

BEC has recently launched an electricity assistance programme, with than 7,000 residential customers said to disconnected.

“It’s being going pretty good. We have found that the persons on the old programme are now coming on the new programme because many of them failed to live up to their obligations. People are hurting in this country,” said Mr Miller.