Government
Concern over Project timeline for TCI House of Assembly refurbishment
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2023 – After nearly 6 years using a makeshift space, the Turks and Caicos will have a fit for purpose Parliamentary building within months according to updates from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
“The progress of that work and the schedule for completion is slated for January 2024,” said a PPID representative. He made the revelation during a May 4th sitting of the Appropriations Committee in response to queries from committee member Willin Belliard.
Though the upcoming completion is a welcome announcement, Belliard expressed concern with current progress and whether contractors would actually meet the deadline. 
“This appropriations Committee took the opportunity last year to visit the NJS Francis Building and see the progress because we are very concerned— I would encourage your department to keep an eye on this one because the progress is not very encouraging.”
The representative of PPID said, while the concerns were duly noted the building would be on time.
“The delays that were incurred were due to the fact that there was a need for additional funding to cater for scope that was not included in the original contract,” he explained. Those unforeseen expenses included additions to the building like air conditioning and a fire suppressant system. Supplementary budgets had to be drawn up and then approved which took some time.
The House of Assembly is convened currently at the HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk as the country is still without a designated Parliamentary building following a breakdown in infrastructure and neglected repairs at the NJS Francis Building that eventually led to its closure.
Back in 2016, repairs were scheduled for the building but were not completed and by 2018, the then Ministry of Infrastructure Housing and Planning, had to announce that the building had structural issues and moved to block some areas from public use because they were unsafe. The House of Assembly was relocated to HJ Robinson and has been there since then. Belliard maintained that it was time for the HOA to move back into its permanent home.
Government
Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture, and Religious Affairs Delivers Impressive Quarterly Report on Achievements
#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – The Bahamas Government says the Grand Bahama Port Authority owes over $300 million, now causing a very public squabble between the two entities and potential years long arbitration proceedings.
The total owed according to the government is $357 million over the last five fiscal years, 2018-2022.
Seemingly down to business, the Davis Administration, according to reports, sent a letter to the Port Authority at the start of the month, in which 30 days was given for them to pay up.
If the 30-day deadline isn’t met, Davis says the Government has the right to start arbitration proceedings.
A Grand Bahama attorney who criticized the government’s actions, also expressed that the tension could lead to up to five years of arbitration.
The letter, as reported by the Tribune, refers to clause 1(5)(c) of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
Regarding the tensions between the Port Authority and the Government, the financial conflict apparently rests on Davis’ accusation that the Port Authority failed to follow its obligations under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
“Unfortunately, the Port Authority has not been living up to its legal obligations to develop and grow the economy in Freeport. In many cases, the government has had to step in where the Port has failed. Let’s be clear about what this means: it means that the Bahamian people have been subsidizing the profits of these private shareholders! That is not right. You deserve flourishing, thriving communities. You deserve an inclusive economy that generates opportunity, dignity, and security. You deserve what is owed to you under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement,” Davis said.
In a clap back at the Government’s accusations, the Port Authority in reports are quoted declining the Government’s claim that they owe the “sum of $357 million.”
“We reject and will robustly defend against this claim, which we firmly believe will be defeated,” it stated.
Davis, who was speaking in a meeting on Saturday April 6, informed that before things got to this level, they were having meetings.
“We had many, many meetings and exchanges before we arrived at this point. But there were too many delays and too many dead ends. When only one side appears interested in advancement – and when the people of Freeport urgently need change and progress – then decisive action is the only choice,” he maintained.
The now peaked tension was sparked in June of 2023 when Davis stated that the Authority is failing to maintain Freeport’s infrastructure and encourage the growth of the city, as it claimed owed expenses, now said to be the hundreds of millions.
To this, in June 2023, the free quasi-governmental authority responded saying the sums stated by the government are “contested” and “it is yet to be satisfied,” claims reports say, are supported by credible evidence.
Bahamas News
Bahamas Government and Grand Bahamas Port Authority in squabble over millions allegedly owed
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