By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM Minister Obie Wilchcombe yesterday called for greater transparency and accountability as China Construction America gears up to begin its $250m Bay Street luxury development – The Pointe.
Mr Wilchcombe said this will ensure Bahamians do not experience another “disappointment” as has been the case with the $3.5bn Baha Mar project which is in the midst of a bitter deadlock with the resort’s general contractor, CCA over its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the United States. This has prevented the West Bay Street resort from reaching completion and opening.
Nearly two weeks ago, CCA held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Pointe, however some observers are sceptical about the project’s success because of CCA’s involvement.
The West Grand Bahama MP said Bahamians have every right to be apprehensive, but insisted that the downtown project will be a success.
“I think Bahamians are now sceptical of all that has happened in the recent past,” Mr Wilchcombe said, when contacted for comment. “I think the scepticism is to be understood.
“But from a government’s standpoint we must ensure that CCA fulfills its obligations. Really, I don’t have any issues with this project. I think it will be successful.
“But given what Bahamians have had to endure with Baha Mar, there is certainly a greater need for an understanding of what is about to happen in terms of marketing, when it will begin and more importantly clear timelines of when it will open.
“What we don’t want Bahamians to ever have to go through again are high expectations and then to be let down. The government has a responsibility to ensure CCA delivers on what it has promised. We must do this assiduously.”
He added: “CCA must deliver, because that is the only way Bahamians will accept now.”
When officials broke ground on the project, CCA Chairman Ning Yuan told those gathered that the proposed world-class lifestyle and residential development was a “substantial milestone” for the company, adding that it was “different” from its other project in the Bahamas.
Mr Yuan said the purchase of the British Colonial Hilton and the adjacent harbourfront property represented CCA’s first hotel and development acquisition in the Caribbean.
“CCA will be the sole investor, developer and contractor for The Pointe project. This will allow us to directly translate our commitment and vision for this entertainment destination to the Bahamian people,” Mr Yuan said at the time.
“It will also ensure that The Pointe is completed on time and according to the highest standards,” he added.
The Pointe is scheduled for a 2017 launch and is expected to provide 250 construction jobs for Bahamian workers. Additionally some 500 jobs are expected to be created within the 200-room entertainment hotel, oceanfront residences and 80-slip marina.
The development also boasts a 1,000-car garage, a bowling alley, and movie theatre.
Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy in a US court on June 29 and blamed CCA for several opening delays. The next day, the resort sued CCA’s parent company, China Construction Engineering Corporation in the English High Court.
CCA has refuted Baha Mar’s accusations and has said the resort’s opening delays are due to financial and design mismanagement.
Comments
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Wilchcombe is a voice crying in the wilderness. Christie's son Steffan P Christie, the principals of China Construction America and the Government of Perry Gladstone Christie sat down and conspired together for CCA to buy the Hilton and develop the vacant property to the west and then build a boardwalk to Paradise Island and a marina and Wilchcombe says TRANSPARENCY IS WHAT IS NEEDED. You must be asleep in the Cabinet Room if you are serious.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 4 months ago
No way CCA should be allowed to start another project in this country until the current situation with Bahamar is resolved. Our PM is doing us a disservice yet again. Obviously Perry is owned by the Chinese....
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Yeah and the Commi$$ion$ have already been paid. Wilchcombe is complicit in all this corruption by virtue of continuing in the Cabinet. Fweddy too !
sheeprunner12 9 years, 4 months ago
Obie has lost all credibility with the public .............. Travolta, Pleasant, Rollins, gambling, Carnival ................ now e must believe him after what has already conspired with Bahamar??
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
How can Wilchcombe call for accountability and transparency when both are such strangers to the government of which he is a part?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 4 months ago
Laughable. Why call for transparency after all the deals are already signed? Is any contract of substance left that hasn't been divvied up among friends lovers and family?
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
Do you think that Wilchcombe believes his own BS? Some times power corrupts the thinking process and delusion sets in!!
Sickened 9 years, 4 months ago
I think he's trying to get kicked out of the PLP saying these things.
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
And now the Punch says that Leslie Pindling is in the bed too ! That's why Champagne Mum was there with a shovel but no hard hat. No trickle down with these people. They keepin it all in the fold. Time for the Chinkies to go. Persona non Grata !
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
This PLP government thinks that Yellow is the new Black!!
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