I hope this project translates to good paying construction jobs. Based upon this developer's track record, all the management jobs, i.e. project managers, QS's superintendents and even foreman for the most part are foreign. And this is true for all the construction trades. The only Bahamian construction jobs, at least on their projects, are laborers and semi-skilled workers, the lowest paid workers on a construction site. Projects like this one should be about training Bahamians to take on the higher paid positions mentioned previously. Developers like this one have effectively, by bringing in people to occupy these management positions, taken jobs away from Bahamians who fulfill these management positions in the local construction companies.
This Sands fella is a media hog!! And he isn't even a contractor, I understand that he works for a private developer. BCA please replace this guy. It seems his sole goal is to be in the news with the BCA's interest with goals being in a distant second place!! Put a real contractor there BCA
The Doctor must have read Thomas Friedman's new book, Thank you for being late. Whether we like it or not this is coming and there is nothing we can do about it. Thomas Freidman describes it as using technology and cloud computing to remove the "friction" from our everyday tasks. Uber and Airbnb are perfect examples of the use of rechnology to remove the friction. Its happening in education, financial transactions, real estate, and soon law, medicine and many other areas of life.
At the very least this law suit will, should Sarkis prevails or not, put a big dent into CCA's grand plans to become a major player in construction and development in this part of the world. Also, the worst kept secret on that construction site was that the workmen were not skilled and actively learning on the job!!
Sarkis will prevail, i am sure. Anyone close to this project that reads this article will tell you that most if not all of what he is claiming is dead on. For example the issue with the generator plant, which supplies normal and emergency power to the resort, is correct. No resort can open without power!!
In my industry with low profit margins, I would prefer corporate income tax over business license any day. In fact I welcome it. I estimate that we now effectively pay over 25% in income tax when business license fees are compared to profits and business license tax must be paid whether profits are made or not. I suspect those business people in higher margine industries are the biggest opponents!
I am with you on this. Drivers blocking up intersection while the traffic lights turns red is call gridlocking and should be an offence with heavy fines. Also I think there are too many drivers who don't the understand the concept of the fast lane on a dual carriage way, especially those who drive large trucks. It's beyond me why someone driving large slow vehicle thinks its fine to drive on the right hand lane on a dual carriage way. Surely they don't appreciate the disruption to traffic it causes!
I am offended by this article. The Chamber should be ashamed of itself for seeming to defend an enterprise that is a cancer to the Family Island and the Bahamas as a whole. I am very disappointed. Also please get your assertions correct, money can between accounts in different banks. Come on Chamber you can do better than this!!!
While I agree that there are major issues with delays in Physical planning and Building Control but to predict a 20% increase in construction if changes are made in these departments is utter nonsence! The good BCA president really should stick to construction and stay out the economic realm. His numbers are obviously baseless. There is so much fake news nowadays!!
Agreed, the areas around these mechanic shop are heavily contaminated with toxic chemicals that not properly disposed of. Additionally the article fails to mention the derelict vehicles that accumulate around these shops which creates futher hazards for residents in the area. In addition to closing them down enviromental testing for hazardous substances must be conducted, the derelict vehicles removed and the proprietors of these shops heavily fined to pay for the mess they have created
Craig says...
I hope this project translates to good paying construction jobs. Based upon this developer's track record, all the management jobs, i.e. project managers, QS's superintendents and even foreman for the most part are foreign. And this is true for all the construction trades. The only Bahamian construction jobs, at least on their projects, are laborers and semi-skilled workers, the lowest paid workers on a construction site. Projects like this one should be about training Bahamians to take on the higher paid positions mentioned previously. Developers like this one have effectively, by bringing in people to occupy these management positions, taken jobs away from Bahamians who fulfill these management positions in the local construction companies.
On $250m Hurricane Hole project to 'go vertical' by January 2019
Posted 3 February 2018, 3:10 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
This Sands fella is a media hog!! And he isn't even a contractor, I understand that he works for a private developer. BCA please replace this guy. It seems his sole goal is to be in the news with the BCA's interest with goals being in a distant second place!! Put a real contractor there BCA
On Minister 'detests' Contractor chief's talking through media
Posted 3 February 2018, 2:53 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
The Doctor must have read Thomas Friedman's new book, Thank you for being late. Whether we like it or not this is coming and there is nothing we can do about it. Thomas Freidman describes it as using technology and cloud computing to remove the "friction" from our everyday tasks. Uber and Airbnb are perfect examples of the use of rechnology to remove the friction. Its happening in education, financial transactions, real estate, and soon law, medicine and many other areas of life.
On Avoid 'creative destruction' for $1bn GDP expansion
Posted 20 January 2018, 7 a.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
At the very least this law suit will, should Sarkis prevails or not, put a big dent into CCA's grand plans to become a major player in construction and development in this part of the world. Also, the worst kept secret on that construction site was that the workmen were not skilled and actively learning on the job!!
On Sarkis strikes with $2bn writ
Posted 28 December 2017, 3:19 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
Sarkis will prevail, i am sure. Anyone close to this project that reads this article will tell you that most if not all of what he is claiming is dead on. For example the issue with the generator plant, which supplies normal and emergency power to the resort, is correct. No resort can open without power!!
On Sarkis: I stopped $169m bogus bills
Posted 28 December 2017, 2:37 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
In my industry with low profit margins, I would prefer corporate income tax over business license any day. In fact I welcome it. I estimate that we now effectively pay over 25% in income tax when business license fees are compared to profits and business license tax must be paid whether profits are made or not. I suspect those business people in higher margine industries are the biggest opponents!
On Bahamas 'too eager to be led to slaughter'
Posted 20 December 2017, 5:02 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
I am with you on this. Drivers blocking up intersection while the traffic lights turns red is call gridlocking and should be an offence with heavy fines. Also I think there are too many drivers who don't the understand the concept of the fast lane on a dual carriage way, especially those who drive large trucks. It's beyond me why someone driving large slow vehicle thinks its fine to drive on the right hand lane on a dual carriage way. Surely they don't appreciate the disruption to traffic it causes!
On Anarchy on the roads
Posted 20 December 2017, 10:32 a.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
I am offended by this article. The Chamber should be ashamed of itself for seeming to defend an enterprise that is a cancer to the Family Island and the Bahamas as a whole. I am very disappointed. Also please get your assertions correct, money can between accounts in different banks. Come on Chamber you can do better than this!!!
On Web shops: Banks 'fell down big time'
Posted 17 October 2017, 8:24 a.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
While I agree that there are major issues with delays in Physical planning and Building Control but to predict a 20% increase in construction if changes are made in these departments is utter nonsence! The good BCA president really should stick to construction and stay out the economic realm. His numbers are obviously baseless. There is so much fake news nowadays!!
On 20% construction boost if planning woes addressed
Posted 13 October 2017, 12:04 p.m. Suggest removal
Craig says...
Agreed, the areas around these mechanic shop are heavily contaminated with toxic chemicals that not properly disposed of. Additionally the article fails to mention the derelict vehicles that accumulate around these shops which creates futher hazards for residents in the area. In addition to closing them down enviromental testing for hazardous substances must be conducted, the derelict vehicles removed and the proprietors of these shops heavily fined to pay for the mess they have created
On Gov't hailed for 'bush mechanic' crackdown
Posted 13 October 2017, 11:49 a.m. Suggest removal