By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A DAY after a purported developer defended his business against scam claims, Investments Minister Khaalis Rolle said he is concerned the business might be “preying on poor people.”
Patrick Ferguson, Chairman/CEO of Adventure World Discovering the Waters, told The Tribune on Monday that although no investors are backing his proposed plan for the creation of the first Bahamian-owned amusement and water theme park, he has already started interviewing and hiring people, some of whom have complained about being charged for various services while seeking the job.
“It reeks,” Mr Rolle said of the issue yesterday. “Business isn’t conducted in that way. Nobody is trying to give him bad publicity, but there are some basic principles in doing business and those principles have not been met.”
Mr Ferguson, who has appeared on talk shows and has advertised his business in print media, said he is confident the theme park will open next month.
Mr Rolle said last week that no permits have been issued by the government for the creation of a theme park, however. In response, Mr Ferguson claimed that because he has not brought in foreign investors to help with the project, he does not need a permit from the Minister.
However, Mr Rolle said yesterday: “I’m the Minister of Investments whether local or foreign and anyone investing in this country, I have the ability to go to every single agency and find out the details of that investment and as it stands now, the Ministry of Investments knows nothing about his project.
“There is no permit to build anywhere; there is no property registered in the name of that company. I don’t now any leasing for property to build such a park, so I’m concerned that they may be preying on poor people and if they are preying on poor people, they need to stop it.”
Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said yesterday that police are still investigating the matter.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago
preying on poor people
Playing devil's advocate, why should he be singled out and persecuted?
realfreethinker 10 years, 6 months ago
the gov preying on poor people. who will expose them
B_I_D___ 10 years, 6 months ago
I'm thinking Mr. Rolle didn't get his money to da side so he is calling the guy out. ;-)
John 10 years, 6 months ago
Does BTC have another convenient glitch or another outright scam to fleece it's customers out of thousands of dollars daily. We know that the 'call dropping' fiasco is netting BTC thousands of dollars a day when callers have to redial a call several times to complete a conversation. Now some phones are redialing the last number dialed without the owner's knowledge. As you know most smart phones lock the screen automatically, so its not a matter of the phone owner 'miss and dial'. Last night I got a call from someone around 9 p.m. Then my phone rang an hour later and the caller i.d showed the same party. But when I answered I could only hear background noises. So I ended the call and redialed the party, who informed me that they were not trying to call me. Then about an hour later I get another incoming call from the same party. This time I decide not to answer, but about 5 minutes later, my phone beeps, indicating that I have a voice mail. When I check it all I hear is a tv in the background. Then when I speak with the person this morning they say they were not trying to call, but when they check their minutes, "all was gone". This has been going on for several months now, where phones are redialing the last number dialed on the phone. If the call is not answered and goes to voicemail, it stays connected until all the customers minutes are gone. The money goes into the coffers of BTC.
WaterparkGuy 10 years, 6 months ago
I manage a waterpark in the US and have been for 15 years. This sounds like nothing but a scam. Why can't I find an address for the park? A quick build on a small waterpark with slide tower and a couple of pools would be 9 months if everything went perfectly. If construction hasn't started, no location has been selected, and the developer is charging money to applicants, this is nothing but scam.
Kel2679 10 years, 6 months ago
I think it's rather unfortunate, when you have caring ppl in Gov who addressed the matter as it was brought to his attention, for no other reason than to bring light to the issue and state the facts as they are. There are thousands of hurting ppl in this country, who will perhaps give their last $$ in desperate need of a job, so why should they left to be seemingly preyed on...? I'm sure we as Bahamians supports local entrepreneurs, however there are guidelines to follow, it's as simple as that. Stop being so cynical and take concerns at face value.
Sign in to comment
OpenID