Minister disappointed by turnout at contractors seminar

As of Friday, July 27, 2018

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister in the House of Assembly.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC Works Minister Desmond Bannister was very disappointed over the poor turnout to a one-day seminar hosted by his ministry for local contractors in Grand Bahama.

The seminar was held to bring contractors up to speed with the new procedures that are being introduced in the Ministry of Works, including its Pre-qualification process.

“Nobody should take for granted that they are going to get work from the Ministry of Public Works, Mr Bannister told those assembled at the Church of the Ascension Hall in Freeport. Getting a contract from the Government is not going to be an automatic thing.”

“This is a very important seminar that the ministry has gone all the way to ensure it is successful, but we are not very impressed with the showing.”

Topics covered during the seminar included pre-qualification documents and assessment criteria, Construction Contractor’s Act, contract pricing and payment procedures, project management and site safety and E-procurement.

Minister Bannister stressed that many contractors do not use the services of a Quantity surveyor to calculate tender prices, and noted that such services would assist them tremendously.

He also indicated that the Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology is in the process of update Contractor’s Database, and the Tendering and payment certificate process.

The minister stressed that updating their database is very important.

He also encouraged contractors to keep up with the changing times so they do not get left behind.

“This is the digital age and times have changed,” he said. “You are in a totally new age for your profession. Contractors who do not keep up with the times will likely be left out of many of the opportunities that will be advertised on Government websites.

He said the government is now in the process of tendering two major projects in Freeport, including the total renovation of the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre and the Freeport Post Office.

Tameka Hanna, vice president of The Bahamas Contractors’ Association, said that they are the governing body that register all contractors in the country. She noted that while there are some 500 registered contractors in New Providence, there are only 20 registered in Grand Bahama with that body.

She stressed that contractors on their listing are given first preference. “We are listing that would be looked at first, and our site is visited daily by persons all over the world,” she said.

geostorm 6 years, 4 months ago

Watch the complaint in another few months on how the government isn't giving contractors jobs. My people, what is wrong with you? A seminar designed to help you navigate a new system.....and hardly anyone shows up!! Wow.....good luck trying to get a government contract.......and when you don't, don't blame the government.

proudloudandfnm 6 years, 4 months ago

This government has zero credibility in Freeport. Wierd since so many of them are from Freeport.

When you lousy you lousy.

concernedcitizen 6 years, 4 months ago

what do u want the government to do in Freeport ?? Large resort hotels are waning ,the new model is Arbnb etc ,,Sure destination resort make it Atlantis etc but realistically we don,t have enough people w the right demeanor anymore for service in big resorts .Please don,t go one about boutique hotels our fixed cost ,electricity etc and low productivity and pilferage are too high for small hotels .How come Abaco does so well and Freeport does not ??..Same sun ,sand ,,sea ,,additude , smiles ,service bring guest ..guest spend Bahamians open off shoot business

TheMadHatter 6 years, 4 months ago

geostorm.....no, people don't have time for all kinda fool application forms designed to turn them into beggars. We been fishing on the rocks all this time - we can keep fishing. Let the govt hire Haitian contractors - they don't need no permits for nuttin.

TalRussell 6 years, 4 months ago

Two of colony of islands prime ministers have lead their respective parties to victories consecutive governing terms. Comrade Minnis and those around him need take heart - there won't won’t be no second time charming the 91,409 voters come 2022 - more likely a massive far reaching dumping by constituents in next twelve months... the poor turn-out by Grand Bahamalanders is just a sampling what Imperial red shirts are to expect from 91,409 who voted them into governing... shaping up be the first forced from office before mandate has run out in we long parliamentary history?
Amen!

BahamaPundit 6 years, 4 months ago

Five years is too long. Elections should be every three years. Too much ireparable damage can be done in half a decade. The signal is clear that Minnis is finished. Anything they try to do will fail. The people have spoken: Minnis is finished.

sealice 6 years, 4 months ago

The people haven't spoken - the people spoke to you Fweddy when you lost your seat....we have still have a year or so before the peeps get to speak again.

TalRussell 6 years, 4 months ago

Ma Comrade Pundit, weren't elections under Bay Street Boys held ever 7 years?
I don't have issue with MP's being elected 4 year terms each - what I'd like see are staggered terms so that approximately one-half of the House of Assembly "HOA" seats are up for election every two years - which would not only provide electorate with a window change balance of power in the HOA but to decided elect Independents to represent their constituencies. Independent MP's have played major positive leading roles in altering history Bahamaland.

John 6 years, 4 months ago

I have a nephew, 17 years old, that makes more money on his smart phone in a day or two than I make putting in a 40 hour week. And everything he does is legal, trading stock, buying Crypto currency, selling stuff on EBay, you name it Imagine if the country can get 10,000 Lil Bahamian youth (yes males and females) to get into this. # millions

hrysippus 6 years, 4 months ago

Hey John, is you nephew registered as a business, is he paying for an annual business tax, is he filing monthly NIB contribution forms with the correct contribution, is he registered with the vat tax state workers and is he filling out their form every month with the correct amount of vat tax to contribute to the government funds? His business all legal though, yeah, thought not. How is the government expected to $250,000 per year pension to ex ppm Perry, ex pm Hubert, and wife of ex pm pindling?

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