By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper is “disheartened” after learning specific details of the deal for the sale of the Grand Lucayan property in Grand Bahama.
He said he still thinks the deal is an “egregiously bad” one, a view he held while in opposition.
Without disclosing a specific amount, he revealed the cost already associated with the property to date is costing Bahamians close to $200m.
During his first official visit to Grand Bahama yesterday, Mr Cooper met with the board of Lucayan Renewal Holdings (LRH), the special purpose vehicle created to own the assets of the Grand Lucayan resort.
Following his two-hour briefing at the resort with the board, Mr Cooper told reporters: “We had a good briefing from Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, the board responsible for this property and ongoing negotiations as it relates to its pending sale. I am happy we have been briefed over what might be the next course of action over the next several weeks.”
“We will be discussing along with our colleagues at Cabinet next week and making a further statement as to the immediate cause of action,” he said.
Attorney General Ryan Pinder, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism John Pinder were also in attendance.
“We have looked at the details extensively, I can tell you it is costing the Bahamian people,” Mr Cooper said. “And I can tell you that sometime during the last several years we would have made certain public comments to the deal itself.
“I specifically recall saying that it was an egregiously bad deal. I am disheartened to say I did not hear anything to change my view.”
Although no details were disclosed about his briefings with the board, Mr Cooper indicated negotiations concerning the Grand Lucayan are a top priority for the Davis administration.
“As it relates to this property, we won’t go into extensive details as to the briefings. So, suffice it to say, we are keen to move with respect to the negotiation one way or the other.
“We do not anticipate going into specifics today, but suffice it to say, this is front and centre on our radar. And, therefore, we will move with dispatch to cause there to be some additional movements.”
He also said: “When we spoke to this issue some time ago, I actually said it was an egregiously bad deal. And I can confirm for you today that I did not hear or see anything that would cause me to change my mind.”
Mr Cooper said he intends to make a detailed statement next week on the issue.
“I had forecasted prior to coming to government that the (FNM) government would have spent already in the region of $200m. I am also unhappy to tell you that I believe that is close.
“And so, the specifics of what will happen moving forward, we will discuss. There is a legal agreement in place, and we will follow the law, and will pursue this agreement in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”
Mr Cooper also indicated there is no plan right now to change the board of Lucayan Renewal Holding.
“We had a good briefing from Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, the board responsible for this property and ongoing negotiations as it relates to its pending sale. I am happy we have been briefed over what might be the next course of action over the next several weeks.
“We will be discussing along with our colleagues at Cabinet next week and making further statements as to the immediate course of action.
“We are assessing the board at the moment, and I am very thankful to a very competent board that has been in place,” he said. “And we anticipate once there is an election, boards would change. But I have been assured by the professional Bahamians who sit on this board that their expertise will always be accessible, whether the board has changed or not.
“So, whilst it is customary, we are not at that point yet. There is a lot of institutional knowledge, and these are effectively volunteers who love our country the way we all do. And therefore, I know they will offer their expertise on an ongoing basis whether formally or informally,” said Mr Cooper.
The stalled sale of the hotel property has been a burden on taxpayers for the past 18 months.
In 2018, the Minnis administration purchased the property for $65 million from Hutchinson Whampoa. Prior to the general election, it had allocated more than $3 million in subsidies in the 2021-2022 budget for the property.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the ITM Group had signed a Heads of Agreement in March 2020 for a joint venture purchase and redevelopment of the hotel. This also included redevelopment of Freeport Harbour. However the deal has not yet been finalised.
Mr Cooper said the resort is “critical” to the island, and they are eager to get the negotiation moving again.
“As DPM, this is my first official visit outside of New Providence. I wanted to do that to demonstrate to the people of Grand Bahama the significance of Grand Bahama to the overall economy of the Bahamas, and overall tourism product.
“We are very minded to say this property is critical, not just for the development of tourism, but also in support to other industries in Grand Bahama that we hope we will be able to nurture moving forward around maritime, the transshipment facility, and Shipyard, etc. We think there is a significant opportunity in Grand Bahama.
Mr Cooper also toured the Grand Bahama International Airport, which he described as “heartbreaking”. The Minnis administration bought the airport earlier this year.
“We will take a look at the airport. We see it when we come in and it is still heartbreaking to see that after so many months not a lot has changed. So again, it is a constant reminder as to the state of plague here in Grand Bahama,” he said.
Comments
bahamianson 3 years, 2 months ago
Did cooper mot kkow the cost when in opposition?
JokeyJack 3 years, 2 months ago
No he did not, because Brave as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee refused to call a meeting to order.
DDK 3 years, 2 months ago
LOL!!!
tribanon 3 years, 2 months ago
The government owned Lucayan Hotel property was used by the corrupt FNM political elite and their favoured cronies to heavily bilk Bahamian taxpayers.
And Cooper is no doubt looking forward to putting in place the 'right' PLP operatives to ensure the corrupt PLP political elite and their favoured cronies can now take their turn bilking the Bahamian taxpayers of another $200+ million dollars.
The losses for the Bahamian people from all of the corrupt dealings involving the Lucayan Hotel property, Lucayan Renewal Holdings, etc. could easily end up exceeding the losses shoved on to the backs of Bahamian taxpayers as a result of the corrupt dealings by both the PLP and FNM political elite that went on for years at Bank of The Bahamas and Bahamas Resolve.
DWW 3 years, 2 months ago
Funny how there are still no details forthcoming. Cooper showing himself to be just more of the same. Does this fall under the public procurement act? or the FOIA? asking for a friend
KapunkleUp 3 years, 2 months ago
Was thinking the same thing. Cooper coming out and giving no details aside from saying BAD, BAD, BAD. Same behavior with FNM and PLP. Release ALL details of the deal so people know what's going on!
Proguing 3 years, 2 months ago
So when the FNM takes over from the PLP, they are shocked at the financial state of the country, and guess what, when the PLP takes over from the FNM they are shocked at financial the state of the country…you can’t make this stuff up!
stillwaters 3 years, 2 months ago
The PLP and FNM act all shocked, surprised, disgusted, appalled by the same situations they left behind after their five years. The PLP has been gone only just over four years, not 25 years.............why so shocked about things that every Bahamian already knows about. I just wish they would start to govern....day1 has already long gone past.........start doing something except just procuring space/ money/ jobs/ contracts for the selected few. And stop resurrecting old, corrupt politicians and give some of our young people a chance.
Proguing 3 years, 2 months ago
So what's next on the PLP after election tour? Abaco? Crooked Island? Inagua?
KapunkleUp 3 years, 2 months ago
Switzerland - numbered bank accounts.
tribanon 3 years, 2 months ago
Communist China controlled Hong Kong is the jurisdiction du jour for banking by our corrupt politicians.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 2 months ago
The Our Lucaya purchase was a bad deal. so was BTC The FNM government is known for making BAD DEALS. it seems their heads are jammed. They have paid severance pay for the airport and the hotel
It is good that the board remains in place. where ever there is knowledge in the Bahamas It should be used. it will make the Bahamas a better place.
Proguing 3 years, 2 months ago
Thank god the PLP is back and we will get only good deals, right?
TigerB 3 years, 2 months ago
Well it was closed under the PLP, let them "fix" it. In Opposition they voice their opinion that it was bad, now they own it again. complaining makes no sense when you stuck with it the way the FNM was stuck with it coming to office in 2017. The answer is to either sell it of fix it.
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
The dealings of the ousted Reds is closing in on them and everything like that. - So, since Minnis says he shares in calls hold an inquiry into the reds 1590 days governances and everything like that means must give him his much due and wanted inquiry and everything like that. - One inquiry day would be required to look deep into each of the 1590 days of governance and everything like that a true sign of the new premier's partnershipping with Minnis, - Yes?
Bonefishpete 3 years, 2 months ago
White Elephant
Maximilianotto 3 years, 2 months ago
Neither the government nor the government appointed board can fix this disaster. Sell it, close it these losses must stop immediately! Gift it to the unions👺let them show their “competence”
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