Market Contract To Terminate:
By Candia Dames -
Nassau, Bahamas:

The government intends to terminate the $23 million straw market contract the former administration signed in February with Wooslee Dominion Construction Ltd., according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

"The contract awarded for the construction of the new market on Bay Street is yet another example of a contract which we felt was in need of review. The structure, it is claimed, is inappropriate for the straw market. It includes spaces for shops and nightclubs and restaurants. I haven’t seen the plans, so I don’t know," Mr. Ingraham said.

He added, "Known and experienced contractors, I’m told, submitted bids for this project in the range of $30 million, but the contract was awarded to a contractor with limited experience, if any, at that level of construction whose bid, I’m told, was below even the estimates of the quantity surveying division of the Ministry of Public Works."

He pointed to concerns with the contract then said, "We’re not going to build that market; so that’s clear. We’re not going to build that market. We will undertake discussions with the contractor and terminate that contract. Concerns with this contract will not prevent the construction of an appropriate required facility to meet the needs of the Bahamian people and straw vendors."

The prime minister, who was contributing to debate on the 2007/2008 budget in the House of Assembly Wednesday evening, assured members of parliament that the Free National Movement government will build an appropriate and proper straw market.

"As time goes on we will provide full explanations for all decisions we take resulting from these and other suspended government contracts," Prime Minister Ingraham added.

"I want to make it very clear that it is not a political witch hunt. We are unconcerned about the politics of the individuals involved. We are seeking to get value for our monies. In fact, one of our members’ father who was given two contracts to do the road in Crooked Island and one in Moore’s Island will be told to choose ye this day whom he will serve – one or the other because we know he cannot competently do both jobs at the same time."

The former government signed the contract with Wooslee on February 18 with government officials saying $23 million was the largest sum of money ever committed to any government building.

The plan called for the top level to have 5,000 square feet on the Bay Street side for business ventures and another 5,000 square feet on the harbour side for a restaurant.

At the centre of the market, a 100-foot observation tower was planned.

"We are going to get tourists to help pay the costs of the new straw market," then Minister of Works and Utilities Bradley Roberts said during the signing, adding that a restaurant, another business and the tower would be the major elements for revenue generation.

Under the contract, the market had an interior village concept with each stall being a clapboard façade of a house with a porch where craftwork would be displayed.

Officials had said the market would have a total of 36 toilets, be 100 percent handicap friendly and equipped with a fire fighting system.

The contract signing came more than five years after the Bay Street straw market was destroyed by fire.

Officials had said that Wooslee Construction, which was selected after submitting one of five bids, has been working in the industry for over 20 years in The Bahamas and internationally.

Contributing to debate on the 2007/2008 budget in the House of Assembly on Monday, Minister of Works and Transport Dr. Earl Deveaux said the government halted work on the straw market because the value of the project is out of line with the quantity surveyor’s costing.

He also said that while space had been allocated for vendors’ stalls, there was no provision in the contract for the construction of the stalls.

Dr. Deveaux said the new government proposes to move the straw vendors from the present makeshift market – under an inadequate and unacceptable tent – to a building on the Prince George Dock.

15 June 2007