Nassau Christmas lights costing us $100,000 – but they'll last for years

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister revealed yesterday that the new Christmas lights erected around town cost just over $99,000.

The creative displays at major roundabouts were the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and are valued at $81,989.66, he told The Tribune.

“As long as no one steals them we should be able to use the items for a number of years just replacing the light bulbs as necessary,” Mr Bannister said. “If we average a 10 year life span of the units - we kept the crates so that they can be properly stored - then averaged over the 10 years, the decorations are just $8,000 per year.”

The breakdown for the roundabout displays and the cost of trucking to Tropical Shipping in Florida was $48,872.00. Additionally there was a $3,923.14 charge for Tropical Shipping Transportation from Florida to New Providence.

Duty and value added tax cost taxpayers $29,194.52 for a total cost $81,989.66.

For Bahamas Power and Light’s part, the electricity provider purchased decorative lights for streetlight poles for $10,645 with an estimated duty of $6,400.

Combined, both the ministry and BPL spent a total of $99,034.66.

The minister revealed the cost element of the lights after promising on Sunday to disclose the information in response to questions from The Tribune.

This year’s Christmas decorations were the result of “direct orders” and not contracted work, as has been the case previously, he revealed at the time.

Comments

TalRussell says...

Best comrade Desmond be out for all details crown's decorations and lights business cause it goin get out anyways... likes when he keeps says how these hereto Christmas decorations and lights were the result of “direct orders” -does that mean no politically contracted privileged $100,000 procurement broker of sorts ain't going be exposed later?

Posted 11 December 2018, 3:23 p.m. Suggest removal

Bonefishpete says...

When deys gonna burlap the palm trees?

Posted 11 December 2018, 4:32 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

You mean the native tree condoms? I think Tal pointed that out

Posted 11 December 2018, 4:51 p.m. Suggest removal

DDK says...

Please no!

Posted 12 December 2018, 11:05 a.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

If they can find them next year.

Posted 11 December 2018, 4:43 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

99,000 form who? I understand there was one former employee of a major corporation who set up a company in Florida and was ordering supplies for the local corporation from her own company. Somebody check with the FS

Posted 11 December 2018, 4:53 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Now that's a BN-newsworthy scandal!!!!!

Posted 11 December 2018, 6:41 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

I don't mean to imply that that incident was related to the purchase of the Christmas supplies. I just noticed they went not detail about who transported them but didn't say where the items came from. if they hadn't mentioned the shipping might not have stuck out...or maybe it would have since I dnt trust them with this treasury money

Posted 11 December 2018, 9:01 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

You comrade bloggers, the mere asking too many procurement questions might give certain people christmas decorations and lights anxiety.

Posted 11 December 2018, 9:15 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

Last for years? Strong winds already have some blowing away.

Posted 12 December 2018, 9:39 a.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

100,000 GRAND ON BLOOD LIGHTS AND ARE KIDS STILL HAVE "D" AVERAGES - THANKS FOR NOTHIN MY GUBMINT MAN!!

Posted 12 December 2018, 11:50 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Seems like comrade crown member is saying the MOW and BPL each individually procured their own sets christmas lights..... and from sounds talk it sure seems like the perceived thieves didn't bother stealing the already procured and paid for christmas decorations and lights the Imperial reds minister found left behind in storage..... and. who exactly determined the existing stock of christmas lights were all blown out.... likes did minister receive and review a written christmas decorations and lights analysis? For sure the crown member seemed more alarmed over cost hairdo than his spending $100,000 out PeoplesPublicPurse to pretty up we poles and couple roundabouts but read nice lady the riot act over the picture taking pretting up ladies hairdo for fistfull dollars? { Why both makeup negatives over free spending ways Imperial crown's reds? }.

Posted 12 December 2018, 12:10 p.m. Suggest removal

DWW says...

It is a whole lot better than the contract last year. $100k vs $1.5m. All the above can go sit small.

Posted 12 December 2018, 2:40 p.m. Suggest removal

Damifiknow says...

And you little people ......corn beef an rice!

Posted 12 December 2018, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Ma comrade DWK, means you don't have issue with your government sending $1.5 million christmas decorations and lights to dump...... why didn't minister not send decorations to out islands spruce up islanders christmas..... wouldn't a hand down christmas be better than no decorations or lights? Certainly somethin' procurement we Queen needs keep both her eyes focused at.

Posted 12 December 2018, 2:46 p.m. Suggest removal

DWW says...

I do not condone any of it. But governments will spend. This goes to show that the previous $1.5M contract put almost exactly $1,450,000 in one person's pocket. while this time $100k was actually spent to purchase a durable good. stop with your useless idle political chatter it helps no one, it benefits nothing. maybe try to raise the standard of dialogue in this country instead of just being a donkey.

Posted 12 December 2018, 3:20 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Ma comrade, I'll take it you're not big ass fan my posts?

Posted 12 December 2018, 3:34 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

"*stop with your useless idle political chatter it helps no one, it benefits nothing. maybe try to raise the standard of dialogue in this country instead of just being a donkey.*"

Dnt worry, they're referring to the Oban shenanigans carried out by Dr Minnis.

Posted 12 December 2018, 3:46 p.m. Suggest removal

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