The Tribune

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN contractors yesterday said they expect to be in a better position to compete with foreign rivals and “clean up” the industry’s image with the enforcement of the Contractors Bill.

Michael Pratt, the Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) interim president, told Tribune Business that the body had submitted its list of nominees for the Contractors Board that will oversee enforcement of the sector’s governing law.

“The names have been forwarded to the Registrar and he will forward them to the minister,” said Mr Pratt. “The intention of the bill is to regulate the construction industry. We intend for our contractors and people involved in the industry to be properly licenced.

“The country can stand behind them, and the board can stand behind a licensed contractor. The requirements are documented in the Contractors Bill. Like any other practitioner we would have people who can promptly go out and represent the industry. The intent is to clean up the image of the industry.”

Mr Pratt spoke after the $224m contract to construct the new US embassy at the junction of Shirley and East Streets was awarded to a US firm, Caddell Construction, which once built the former Cable Beach Hotel and Casino.

While it is likely a diplomatic norm for countries to hire firms from home to construct such missions, it is unclear whether any portion of this substantial contract will be sub-contracted to Bahamian contractors or if Bahamians will be hired by Caddell.

The Contractors Act, when enforced, will introduce a system of licensing and self-regulation, where Bahamian contractors are certified according to their qualifications as well as the scale and scope of work they are capable of undertaking. This would place them on a “level playing field” with foreign contractors, enabling them to better compete for foreign multi-million dollar contracts on foreign direct investment (FDI) projects that come to The Bahamas because their capabilities are certified.

“We have good contractors, and we have people who for a number of reasons don’t perform the way they should,” said Mr Pratt. “This puts us in a better position to compete, especially against other contractors in the region.

“We intend to come at that level, where we can say that our contractors are licensed and we stand behind them. If they don’t perform the board steps in and deals with them. Licences can be revoked and fines levied.”

The Act also includes provisions giving Bahamian consumers means of redress and protection gains shoddy workmanship, a frequent complaint among residents.