The BAMSI blaze in January 2015.
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
WORKS Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday admitted that the dormitory destroyed by fire at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in Andros last month was not insured at the time of the incident due to negligence on the part of the contractor.
Mr Davis explained to Parliamentarians that the contractor failed to pay the annual insurance premium that covered the structure. The Tribune contacted Audley Hanna, the building’s contractor yesterday, but he refused to comment saying his attorney was “dealing” with the situation. Calls were made to the attorney but they were unanswered.
During his contribution to the 2014/2015 Mid-Year Budget debate, Mr Davis said his ministry was now in discussions as to the way forward. He said officials project completion in June for the first phase of BAMSI.
The fire broke out on January 15.
“The dormitory that burned,” Mr Davis said, “was initially earmarked for completion to allow accommodation of students for September 2014. At the contract signing, the contractor had everything that was required to contract work with my Ministry, including Contractor’s All-Risk Insurance.
“However, because of the delay and the fact that the contractor failed to pay the annual premium, the insurance coverage expired. Full completion of phase one is now projected for June 2015. My Ministry is now in discussions as to the way ahead. When those discussions are finalised and decisions have been made, I will bring an update to the House.”
Mr Davis’ explanation, however, was not enough to pacify the Free National Movement, which has been critical of the handling of BAMSI since the project was undertaken by the government.
Party leader Dr Hubert Minnis questioned whether taxpayers or the contractor would be responsible for funding the repairs at BAMSI. He also claimed that work at BAMSI had stopped since December.
“The member said the burned up building was said to be about one hundred odd thousand dollars and now he is saying that the insurance had lapsed,” Dr Minnis said. “The member must explain to this parliament who would pay the cost of the reconstruction or the completion of the building.
“The other point is, in spite of them saying that the cost is one hundred thousand odd I am informed that they are reviewing – and are in discussions – with heavy equipment operators. But it is their belief that the building might have to be demolished completely because of the wall structures were damaged by fire and if that is the case will we, the taxpayers, carry this entire cost?
“And in addition to that would the same contractor who constructed the building who allowed the insurance to lapse, would he be re-contracted to construct the building again? It obviously demonstrates irresponsibility to allow the insurance to lapse.”
Mr Davis said when the decision is made by Works officials he would update the House of Assembly. He was unable to answer any of the questions posed by Dr Minnis.
Officials in the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Agriculture have given mixed answers in the face of questions of insurance since flames destroyed the men’s dormitory.
Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray has told The Tribune that he was unsure, while Works Permanent Secretary Colin Higgs was quoted as confirming that the building was insured.
Mr Hanna initially estimated that the damage to the building would cost around $120,000. However, he said that projection was expected to increase.
Dave Dion Moxey, 50, aka “Davo” of Fresh Creek, Andros, was charged on February 16 with arson, accused of setting fire to the dormitory.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 9 months ago
Christie, Gray and Davis must each bear direct responsibility for not having ensured adequate property and casualty insurance was in place. The fact that the necessary insurance policy listing the appropriate government agency (BAMSI) as loss-payee was not obtained can only be described as gross negligence on the part of Christie, Gray and Davis. The lame brain stupidity and gross recklessness of these three stooges certainly surpasses that of Moe, Larry and Curly. The gross neglect of Christie, Gray and Davis in just about all that they do or seek to do (or don't do and seek not to do) is why we as a country are mired in debt and why we as poor and middle-class Bahamians are now taxed to death. Christie, Gray and Davis are each the very definition of a bumbling inept incompetent moronic politician with no conscience whatsoever! These imbeciles feel no shame for the horrible hardships they have inflicted on most of us in the course of enriching themselves, their business cronies and political friends. THEY MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Gray is proving to be extremely incompetent. Dr Minnis told him a few days ago that work had stopped. He scoffed and mocked and said that was news to him. Only to find out, work had stopped. The DPM then tells us because there was a lull in work the contractor let the insurance lapse.... DUUUHHH..the building is still there at risk of some natural or man made disaster. The dumb-a excuses they utter in the House are simply unbelievable. I can see them at lunch patting each other on the back and saying...boy that was a good one...
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
If this was a private contract between Gray, Davis, or Christie and the contractor, you can bet your last penny they would hold the contractor liable.
spoitier 9 years, 9 months ago
All of the other cronies that got contract base on political affiliation are now scrambling to get their insurance on projects up to speed.
DonAnthony 9 years, 9 months ago
Reading this made me sick today, even though I knew it was coming. No one will be fired, no one will resign, the same contractor will probably get the job again. No denying it we are a throughly corrupt nation, and this government is corrupt to the core.
B_I_D___ 9 years, 9 months ago
Definitely not shocked...but saddened even more at the state this country is being run.
Honestman 9 years, 9 months ago
Incompetence beyond incompetence. Can this administration do ANYTHING right???
spoitier 9 years, 9 months ago
Most of the problem lies at the feet of the Bahamian people because they think these kind of things is only tie to one party. The Bahamian Government function on cronyism, and when a contractor is tie to one party or the next he can get away with almost anything, so they would cut cost everyway they can and wouldn't have to suffer no consequences unless in a situation like this where some fool burn down the building and it came back to bite him.
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
How much more of this gross ineptitude can the country take? I understand that the M.P's are very rich people and the taxes they are heaping upon Bahamians do not affect them like the rest of us but there must be some sort of accountability. Minister Gray obviously is not worried about the peoples money, I wonder if he would be so caviler with his personal funds? Who makes up the government contracts? Why are the Bahamian people NOT protected from negligence in these contracts? This sits squarely upon the contractor as I doubt the government had take ownership of the completed building from the contractor, but as we all know, the Bahamian people are going to get F#@ked again.
Sickened 9 years, 9 months ago
Neither Davis, Gray or Christie showed any sign of being upset about the fact that the building wasn't insured. These fags are so good at pretending but yet they wouldn't even pretend to be upset about the lack of insurance. This just shows how much they don't care AT ALL about the people outside of their circle. And the other MP's that sit next to them didn't raise hell either. None of these ticks give a damn about us. They just want our money. We need to roll them out as soon as possible.
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
Why would they be upset, they will tender another contract to the same contractor who will "donate" the same amount as before. It is a two for one as far as they are concerned.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 9 months ago
Very very simple solution. Make the contractor do the rebuild at his cost... If he allowed his insurance to lapse then he has to pay for the rebuild. Simple....
spoitier 9 years, 9 months ago
That is how it is suppose to work on any contract but it probably wouldn't happen.
outlier 9 years, 9 months ago
It makes more sense to me to blame the arsonist for this mess right now, rather than the contractor or the present government leaders. Moxey has been charged and we will eventually find out if he is indeed guilty or not.
Why would Moxey start this fire? Did the contractor owe him money and this was his way of getting even? Did Moxey "think" that the building was insured and perhaps conducted a dirty deed on behalf of the contractor who apparently was not flush with cash? Insurance fraud is not a new concept. Did the contractor think his insurance was current or lapsed?
I am of the view that the arsonist "had a reason" to do what he did. Why not get to the bottom of that first? If you start there, the blame trail will make itself known in no time at all.
spoitier 9 years, 9 months ago
You can't deny blame on the arsonist but sometimes stupid things happens and it uncovers a lot of unprofessionalism. I strongly believe that this kind of things goes on all of time.
Mayaguana34 9 years, 9 months ago
Why does any of this come as a surprise - Bamsi will go the way of the BARTAD cows - starved and eventually forgotten. #moreofthesame #AndrosohAndros
B_I_D___ 9 years, 9 months ago
The contractor is a good solid PLP...he's got a get out of jail free card, ain't no repercussions in that regard.
Regardless 9 years, 9 months ago
Pathetic!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
How much was the building insured for? When it was insured that is
John 9 years, 9 months ago
UNFORTUNATELY most (if not all) insurances do not pay if arson is proven. But a building under construction should have been insured in any event. So what happens now.: According to reports the building was not completed and eventually set on fire because workmen were not being paid. So assuming the government now issues a rebuilding contract to the same contractor. So what does he do? Use the funds to pay off his old workers and still end up not being able to complete the burned out building, or does the government 'pad' the contract to allow the, obviously incompetent, contractor to bail himself out. In any event the Bahamian taxpayer has lost. They end up with first building that was not completed, then one that is now burned down and may be completed at additional costs. Then there is the delay of having $5-7 million sit idle that could have been in use. But never mind that, how long did the critical care block at PMH sit idle?
John 9 years, 9 months ago
This government has no one to blame but themselves. They are still in the habit of hiring and giving contracts to persons who have reputations for "not doing."
DEDDIE 9 years, 9 months ago
Sometimes I wonder why we even have a government.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Yeah...I wonder if Gray knows UWI has had an Agricultural school ln Trinidad for YEARS. With a well developed programme, with real instructors and students! Imagine that. Second, who can live off bananas and papaya? Seriously if our food supply was cut off could we survive on BAMSI's produce? The first thing the PM needs to do is move Gray he talks horse manure. The second thing he needs to do is figure out BAMSI's purpose, is it to sell to the global market or foster food security?pick anyone and stick to it.
Third isn't there a well established supply of bananas on the world market? Third don't we have a problem with produce spoiling en route to NP currently? Fourth, how hard is it to grow bananas?
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