The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A Bahamian architect yesterday expressed concern that Family Island construction projects were being approved by persons lacking the necessary expertise, with the process susceptible to corruption.

Marcus Laing, of TDG Architects, speaking at a Bahamas Business Outlook panel discussion, said drawings by architects and engineers for developments in these locations were often being assessed by local government administrators, district councils and others rather than the Ministry of Works.

“Most times they’re not technically trained and don’t have the expertise to approve these drawings,” he warned. “Who’s to say they’re up to code and ensure they’re done safely?”

Meanwhile, Quentin Knowles, the Bahamian Society of Engineers (BSE) president, said the profession welcomed The Bahamas’ bid to accede to full World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership “to some degree” because it potentially introduced rules for the ability of foreign engineers and architects to access The Bahamas.

“Speaking as engineers, right now our profession is wide open,” he said. “Pretty much anyone can do engineering work in this country but not set up shop.... At least we will have that [WTO] to fall back on.”

Mr Knowles also called for a “role reversal” where the lead architects and engineers on major foreign direct investment (FDI) projects are Bahamians.

“If it’s necessary to bring in foreign expertise they can work under our licenses and guidance,” he added. Mr Laing echoed his concerns, adding that he wanted to “see Bahamian professionals getting their just due and respect for that”.

With Bahamians “not getting the lion’s share” of incoming FDI-related work, he said: “There’s no policy or regulation of projects coming in. We need to have local architects and engineers overseeing these projects, as they generate significant revenues that make a mark on the economy.

“It turns out that a lot of decision-makers, policymakers, they’re not aware of the nuances that happen outside their field like the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), and are not taking account of revenue losses to these professionals and loss of taxes paid.’

Mr Laing said the recent Bahamas Engineers, Architects & Allied Professionals (BEAAP) conference, which was attended by Cabinet ministers and officials, “turned on a light for them. They started to recognise there were some big loopholes”.

Elsewhere, Mr Knowles suggested that the Ministry of Works employ an “expedited approval process” for drawings submitted by licensed architects, introducing a “30 days or less” turnaround time.

“Why do we need to go through such a rigorous, time consuming process to get drawings approved?” he asked. “One of the biggest concerns developers have is getting drawings approved. When can I start putting concrete in the ground, put in the foundations? This long, boring process we can get reduced substantially.”

Tameka Hanna, the Bahamian Contractors Association’s first vice-president, said the recently passed Construction Contractors Bill would provide “protection in its entirety” to all sector players - consumers, contractors, lenders and others - by offering recourse for complaints, contract breaches and shoddy workmanship.

Mr Knowles added that The Bahamas was “just on the first step of a 1,000 mile journey in my estimation” when it came to the licensing and self-regulation of contractors.