Opinion Column: Airport Development Plan
[Opinion column written by David Tavares & Erwin Adderley]
Our early history records our place in the Maritime Atlantic World. Bermuda’s people and partners have a long history of providing service both in the hospitality, international and finance sectors of our economy. We have committed treason and indulged in pirating during our early isolation and our people did what was necessary to survive.
During the mid twentieth century our political and industry leaders recognized our economy was vulnerable at the time, especially during the second world-war years, and started to open Bermuda by inviting international interest to establish a presence to conduct business activities to protect their off shore operations elsewhere in the world.
In opening our shores, the conventional wisdom was, and should always be, to protect the interests of Bermuda and its people. At the beginning of this century we have seen a gradual relaxation of this policy and more so since the OBA has come to power. In fact the Finance Minister has admitted that we may have to relax this policy even more. To say, we may have to rethink the 60/40 rule is an understatement to say the least.
Given the recent announcement of the historic agreement to pave the way for twenty-first century airport facility, and other recent announcement made by the OBA, is clearly an effort to undermine Bermuda and its people, especially the middle-class, on the argument that PLP left us in us in such a financial state that we may have to flush the baby down with the bath-water, in order for us to survive.
We do not recall a statement in their election platform that suggested that we will have to give up our interest in order to continue to help others in the world to solve their problems.
We cannot believe the OBA came up with this vision to transform our economy in such a way, in order to benefit foreign corporate interest, without the endorsement of those special interests. It is apparent that the OBA has given its stamp of approval on this proposal in the belief and hope that the benefits that may accrue to us will reach all the way down to the bottom of the ladder so that everyone benefits this time.
We will have more to say on the new airport facility agreement going forward and hope you will allow two concerned Bermudian’s the opportunity to share our independent and unbiased thoughts to the wider community.
-David Tavares & Erwin Adderley
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Build it! Jobs jobs jobs! Better than borrowing 200M to go with 2B in debt!
Adderley and Tavares should go fishing for fish and leave politics alone
Isn’t Mr Adderley a former politician in the first place?
Do these 2 jokers also think the Southampton Princess is selling out Bermuda?? The most successful hotel in Bermuda was brought about by working along with foreign risk capital that ultimately brings jobs to Bermudians.
Sorry, just sold my boat. I have lots of spare time now and anyway some of us have to remind Bermudians what is really going on and how their interest does not count anymore.
And the money to buy your boat ultimately came from outside Bermuda. Oh those nasty foreigners.
If you got the multi multi millions and managerial know how, then you go build one for us and run it for a period, then give it all back to us for nothing.
For our Govt./ One Bermuda Alliance to agree on these terms with C.C.C. to pay off after 30 years then it is without any doubt a smart business move…
Typo:…to pay off within 30 years is a smart business move.
another Pair of Jokers from a stacked deck!
Canada has many interests in other hot destinations in the Caribbean.
What about the maintenance costs,and the bigger the building the higher cost to run it.
The country does not need more financial obligations.
We are competing for the tourist dollar, and so it the rest of the world .
Build from profits not from 30 year debt.
Airports don’t attract people, Bus terminals and Train stations don’t attract people either, they are holding pens.
We need more Romantic hotels not more Airport.
If this looks to be too good to be true then it could be a Trojan Horse.
Has anyone even Googled “Canadian Commercial Corporation scandals”. The list is a mile long and growing. Bermuda is just another fry and the sharks are coming.
“A fool and his money will soon be parted”
This seems like the way Bermuda is going as it sells off all its assets. Shameful, Shameful … Politricks !!
Do your own research … don’t trust the politicians.