Minister: Interim Airport Development Agreement

August 24, 2015

[Updated with video] Finance Minister Bob Richards, Tourism & Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell, as well as executives from CCC and Aecon, held a press conference this afternoon [Aug 24] where they announced an interim agreement — called the Airport Development Agreement — which sets out the project’s final and definitive agreements.

airport aug 24 2015 2

Minister Richards said, “Bermuda is working with CCC and Aecon, by way of a public private partnership, to redevelop the Bermuda airport terminal building through an incremental contract development process which began with a Memorandum of Understanding last November.

“For commercial and entrustment reasons, our Letters of Agreement have required several extensions, the latest extended to August 31, 2015.

“The LOA contemplates that a further interim agreement, called the Airport Development Agreement, [ADA] must be entered into in order to set out and describe the ambit, principles and subject matter of the project’s final and definitive agreements.

“Phase 1 of this incremental contract development process, which consists of exploration, scoping and data collection, has now been completed.

“The ADA marks the beginning of Phase 2 which will complete negotiation of definitive detailed terms to oversee the project’s implementation and move it to financial close.

Minister Richards continued, “This will include the framework definition; design and detail costing; finance and detail finalisation of the contracts; commitments and liabilities; the independent fairness assessment; local tendering; and, the addressing of legal issues.

“This means moving the project forward with Aecon and CCC to finalize the design and financing of the airport’s redevelopment [including construction, operation and maintenance], and towards the execution of an Airport Concession Agreement, anticipated in the second half of 2016,” added Minister Richards.

Minister Crockwell said, “With the signing of the Airport Development Agreement, Bermudians can derive some hope for hundreds of Bermudian jobs, increased long term employment and a better environment for our visitors and Bermudian workers at the airport.

airport aug 24 2015

In November 2014, Minister Richards announced that Government reached an agreement with Canadian Commercial Corporation [CCC] for the construction of a new purpose built airport terminal building, which would cost in the “range of $200 million.”

The agreement has been strongly criticised by the Opposition over the past few months, who said, “Bermuda deserves better than privatisation through the back door without a tender process” and also said that the Cabinet being “willing to forgo over $1 billion of future revenues without a fair, open, and transparent tender process is a slap in the face to good governance.”

The Entrustment letter from the UK said the cost of the airport construction “must be wholly borne by CCC and the selected developer and sub-contractors” and “no debt should appear” on the Government’s balance sheet.

It also said the UK and Bermuda Governments “must agree on what measures are required to address the deficiencies that are identified by Deloitte in their assessment report,” and the Bermuda Government “must publish a written and evidence-based assurance that the required measures have been taken, before the Contract can be concluded.”

Minister Shawn Crockwell’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.

These are exciting times for Bermuda.

A week ago today, I had the distinct pleasure to lead debate in Parliament on a measure that takes us one step closer to bringing a major hotel to the east end after some 30 years.

Representing the people of Bermuda, the Government has been happy to work with high end partners such as the Desarrollos Hotelco Group, who will construct a five star hotel that will bring a much needed top luxury brand hotel to the island.

This comes at a time when other properties are engaged in raising their profiles and standards with the expectation of improvements to our tourism product. Morgan’s Point has just signaled their capability and intention to move forward with luxury accommodations.

These are indeed truly exciting times.

There is much anticipation for The America’s Cup, as Bermuda edges ever closer to the centre of the professional yachting universe. We see this not just in the increasing commercial activity, and the large number of related families who will soon begin to call Bermuda home – I believe the team from Japan alone, will bring more than 30 families to live here.

But until we replace our ageing air terminal, they will all be faced with a first and last impression of Bermuda that is just not up to the first class standards that Bermudians themselves demand.

This Government – Your Government – has put together a plan that provides so many benefits for Bermudians.

Importantly, it will take a hodge-podge, of buildings which we have been using since the 1940s, together with additions, and band-aids here and there…. and replace it with Bermuda’s first, purpose-built terminal for civilian air traffic.

We have been fortunate in finding such high end partners to help us achieve this objective.

In fiscal year 2013/2014, CCC was active in 57 countries, using 183 Canadian companies…….bringing the advantages of a proven contracting method and providing the best of Canadian solutions.

That’s how we are working with Aecon; a company with roots which date back to the 1800s; one of Canada’s largest and most diverse construction and infrastructure development companies; involved in the building of some of Canada’s most important landmarks.

With the signing of the Airport Development Agreement, Bermudians can derive some hope for hundreds of Bermudian jobs, increased long term employment and a better environment for our visitors and Bermudian workers at the airport.

Yes, these are truly exciting times!

 Minister of Finance Bob Richards’ full statement follows below:

Good afternoon.

I would like to welcome our Canadian guests, Martin Zablocki, President and CEO of the Canadian Commercial Corporation and John Beck, the Executive Chairman of Aecon Group Inc.

As you know, Bermuda is working with CCC and Aecon, by way of a public private partnership, to redevelop the Bermuda airport terminal building through an incremental contract development process which began with a Memorandum of Understanding last November.

For commercial and entrustment reasons, our Letters of Agreement have required several extensions, the latest extended to August 31, 2015.

The LOA contemplates that a further interim agreement, called the Airport Development Agreement, [ADA] must be entered into in order to set out and describe the ambit, principles and subject matter of the project’s final and definitive agreements.

Phase 1 of this incremental contract development process, which consists of exploration, scoping and data collection, has now been completed.

The ADA marks the beginning of Phase 2 which will complete negotiation of definitive detailed terms to oversee the project’s implementation and move it to financial close.

This will include the framework definition; design and detail costing; finance and detail finalisation of the contracts; commitments and liabilities; the independent fairness assessment; local tendering; and, the addressing of legal issues.

This means moving the project forward with Aecon and CCC to finalize the design and financing of the airport’s redevelopment [including construction, operation and maintenance], and towards the execution of an Airport Concession Agreement, anticipated in the second half of 2016.

I know this development process is unfamiliar to most Bermudians, but this is the only way to achieve the combined objectives of the speedy creation of hundreds of construction and retail jobs, the creation of a modern airport that is less vulnerable to severe weather, protection against the risks of millions of dollars in over-runs and delivery delays, and the avoidance of further burdening of the public debt by a quarter of a billion dollars.

Today, we are a step closer to bringing Bermuda a world-class airport with a state-of-the-art passenger terminal of which we can all be proud.

At the end of Phase 2, which we think will take about a year, we will have a final contract and construction will commence.

airplane click here copy (1)

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Comments (71)

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  1. Vulcan Trash Cleaner says:

    and this new terminal will be dead every afternoon and evening the same as the present terminal is!

  2. Jus' Askin' says:

    :-(

  3. Devonshire says:

    Get it DONE!

  4. desmondp says:

    sad sad sad. tourism goin down n we r worrying about giving away 35 years of revenue. like i sad go independent were d gov control police,court,judges,etc, the entire system n void all foolish contract.

    • Onion Juice says:

      Well we gave away $100,000 to Hanbury for failing , so it’s a pattern.

      • James Rego says:

        You are so concerned about Kanbury’s &100,000! Where’s our $800,000,000?

        • Truth Teller says:

          James you are too smart for that. 800,000,000 was never missing.
          Stop with the Bermuda tea part style comments. I did not expect
          you to descend into Norman Simons territory man.

          Sad!

      • Carrot Top says:

        And the past government gave $4M to Beyoncé,Millions to Global Hue, and Faith Based Tourism and were still missing $800M so I I’d say that’s an improvement.

        • Onion Juice says:

          And my ex-wife left me and the one I have now is having an affair.
          So which issue is most important NOW, Dreamer.

          • Build a Better Bermuda says:

            Those millions would sure have been good for some scholarships right about now

  5. Richard says:

    This story and the associated Press Release is really going from the ‘sublime to the absolute ridiculous!!!’ The British Government has established that this redevelopment project shall not add to the already out of control national debt, but the Minister of Finance is continuing with another agreement without explaining how the Government will deal with the nation debt position and the conditions beinginstituted by the British Goverment.

    This would need to be done prior to the establishment of another agreement. If that condition cannot be effective dealt with by the Government and the strategy shared with the people of Bermuda, the project is a non-starter. This article and the associated Press Release points to the possibility that other agreements and promises may have been entered into by the Government with the CCC, but not shared with the people of Bermuda (or a lack of trasparency).

    To discount the presentations by Deloitte, by Mr. Burchall and the requirements established by the British Government and continue down this dark road is unnecessary and wreckless. Whist all would agree that the Airport requires significant work, I am not convinced that the investment of $200m in a facility where visitors spend a total of 2 1/2 hours is an effective economic strategy.

    With $200m to invest in the development of projects that will make Bermuda more attractive to prospective visitors (ie. a development similar to Disney Village, extreme sports, clubs, shopping, theaters, etc.) would be a better strategy to generate income, rather than a facility where I know as a travel, I am trying to spend the least amount of time as possible.

    It is time for a Special Report on the Airport Redeveolpment Project by he Auditor General. It is time for the Auditor to ‘take a look under the hood’ of this project to determine whether there are things that the general public needs to be aware!!! Is this project in conformance with required Government Legislation, policies, and procedures. It is time for the Auditor General to take a look.

  6. Wow says:

    Wow, Honorable MP Richards and Honorable MP CrockwelL, bigger and badder than 60,000 people

    ……..going ahead despite the 30 year lock up of a national asset and no demand or growth projections for tourism arrivals to meet the needs of this mega airport

    So if CCC increase departure “fees” to $150 per passenger or more what we gonna do?

    could the hurry be really about the next election and getting voted out, why the hurry?

    • inna says:

      So it is now a mega airport is it??

      • Triangle Drifter says:

        All 6 or 8 gates of it. Does not add up to even a regional airport but it does have to have all of the security & facilities of a full blown international airport allbeit on a small scale.

    • AlternateView says:

      hmmm… Or it could be that the operator would be highly motivated to greatly increase the volume of air traffic, ie tourists. Aligning interests for the island’s benefit…

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      CCC doesn’t control the departure tax

  7. Bermyman says:

    Good! Get it done!

  8. Excellent says:

    God speed gentlemen.

  9. Navin Johnson says:

    Wonderful…ignore the idiots who want to debate it forever…..ps. Please make sure there are jetways so that people can stay drive and not climb stairs…Thank you OBA for not adding to out titanic national debt complements of the PLP…..new construction, hotels,America’s Cup I am sure there are other things to complain about and object to…..

  10. Cut back says:

    Dubious deal

    • jt says:

      Why?

      • Onion Juice says:

        Because there is no Transparency and everything is being RUSHED through, another Jet Gate situation, Oh I forgot, according to stale milk it’s Dead Gate.

        • jt says:

          Wrong. We are being informed at each stage of the process. The DandT review an stipulations of British govt will be addressed.
          You should be more concerned with Burt’s misinformation at the town hall.

        • Build a Better Bermuda says:

          No transparency, rushed through… this has had more transparency about it than any other project in the last 30+ years, some people are more than willing to look through the painted glasses they are given than with their own eyes. The government is engaged in extensive contract negotiations that come with varying degrees of NDA’s as is standard practice for this sort of business, but Minister Richards has been giving out what information he can, when he can and even the FCO and Delloitte report highlight the higher level of due diligence that this project has received. There are gaps, but that is why the Government commissioned the report. As to the rush to get his through… we are still a year away from any final agreement and we have already been at this for over a year…

  11. perplexed says:

    Help me understand, if they sign away a large portion of our revenue for the next thirty years, at a time when we are facing financial ruins and tourism is at an all time low’ are they not pushing us into our demise. I’m confused, please explain the rational behind this.

    • Zevon says:

      Did you feel this way when the PLP was borrowing $2bn from foreign bankers to spend on overseas consultants, music festivals, Grand Atlantic, and returfing golf courses?

      • Ringmaster says:

        I think you should have added the $200million a year Bermuda borrows to pay for the Public Sector. Almost one third of the working population is in this sector, a wholly unsustainable figure. Resident population decreasing all the time which is reducing the tax/revenue base. Bermudians and others retiring and many leaving (reducing tax receipts) whilst the private sector is changing from expats on large salaries (large tax and consumption revenues) to low paid (low tax receipts). Many Bermudians still do not understand the significant shift and that they may rejoice with the PLP at expats leaving, but they will be the ones left to pay more taxes to feed the Public Sector. Expats and IB will not stay around.

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      A large portion of revenue as well as a large portion of expenditures too. Ultimately, the airport has a small balance input into our coffers, and should we decide to finance it ourselves, that input plus additional monies required from the coffers would be gone to just cover the financing we would need to acquire to do so. But if you really want to follow the PLP ‘plan’ (and I use the term loosely) and we bundle the causeway into the deal, then there is no way in hell we could afford to do this on our own, even with an airport authority financing it… because ultimately the authority would need to get the additional monies to pay for the financing from the government… just like the new hospital wing. You know the one, the one that is responsible for the dramatic increase to our premiums this year because there was no other plan put in place to pay for it.

  12. Alvin Williams says:

    I have always wondered how the Europeans got control of all that land in the world for just shinny beads and perhaps one iron pot or two? Now I know they must have had OBA politicians to deal with.

  13. Vote for Me says:

    The signing of any additional airport agreements in the face of the UK comments, the Deloitte Report, the business community and I am sure, Cabinet Ministers and OBA supporters can only be described as the height of arrogance by Minister Richards.

    The idea that the project does not add to the Bermuda National debt is another fallacy since any net profit that is redirected from the Consolidated Fund will reduce Bermuda’s capacity to repay the existing debt.

    Some financial commentators have already expressed alarm at the continued increase in debt under the OBA at a faster rate than anticipated by Minister Richards himself.

    Certain commentators will try to ‘throw us back to the debt as at December 2017′ but an accurate analysis will show that the rate that the OBA is extending our debt far outstrips the rate the debt was accumulated by the PLP.

    For the sake of Bermuda (and now our great grandchildren), I hope there is a quiet objection by key OBA supporters to stop the project.

    • 32n64w says:

      The Deloitte report provided the Governemnt with a road map to ensure the project will be completed in accordance with best standards. The Governemnt has a timeline to adhere to and nothing reported thus far has indicated anything other than adherence to said requirements. Please quantify, clarify and explain where this is not the case.

      Additionaly, please explain how this development opportunity will directly add to public debt.

      • Charlly X says:

        When are they (Oba) going to stop trying to deceive people of Bermuda ? 70% election mandates they’ve done a 360′ on ! All the things they claimed they wouldn’t do and they things they claim they will do ?????. Stand up and be accountable for Your actions and Your Future ! Bad Bob n his crew of surrogates need to stop drinking sour milk !!

  14. KTS says:

    No wonder the rain had to fall so hard this afternoon. A mere reflection of the stream of surplus of revenue that will soon be washing away from the local economy of Bermuda. “That’s the way the world works”….Honorable who and his apprentice

  15. Garlic Clove says:

    Break ground NOW. Don’t wait. I have a hoe and mattock if needed. Lets get gaming going as well like a lottery. And get moving NOW

  16. Can not believe how dumb some of the readers are. The old airport is a piece of Cr** and you all know it. Why would anyone with a brain cell contemplate pouring money into a decrepit load of blocks and mortar that gets more expensive to up keep each year with MONEY WE DONT HAVE thanks to a c certain political party!!!!!!!!!!

    • Outkasted says:

      So instead we will give it to someone else

      • Yes, they build it , we pay nothing, better than the derelict we have,.and guess what it comes back to us. Get a grip, wake up and smell the roses

        • Onion Juice says:

          So it comes back to us after 35 years and the life span of an airport is 25-30 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
          Talk about Sloppy Seconds.

          • serengeti says:

            Why do you think the lifespan of an airport is 25 years? Was the current one built in 1990?
            FLMFAO.

    • Onion Juice says:

      Hey Dip Prick, a new airport don’t bring people to an island, there are some islands that have worst airports then ours and the tourist are flocking there.
      I wonder WHY.
      MONEY WE DONT HAVE, but you gave Hanbury an extra $100,000 (for failing) on top of his $1000 A DAY salary and pulled $77 million out off the sky for a sail boat race.
      I think you need to ease off the SpongeBob Kool-Aid, the next thing your gonna say is money don’t grow on trees, (well in Colorado it does).
      LMFAO

  17. Triangle Drifter says:

    Want to see a contrast in international airport terminals? Check out Marsh Harbour, Abacos, Bahamas & Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas. Both have airfields far smaller than
    Bermuda. Marsh Harbour has a recently opened new terminal at least 5 times the size of the old one which was a tiny dump.

    Georgetown has a dump of a terminal that is barely larger than an average Bermuda house. Talk about 3rd world? Good reason not to go back. A depressing place.

    • Vote for Me says:

      @ Triangle Drifter
      Please tell us which places you will visit again solely because of the airport!!

      What Bermuda needs is continued market differentiation from our neighbours to the south, increased visibility amongst potential visitors and a clear description of our value proposition.

      Why do think people continue to buy Jeeps, BMWs and Mercedes in Bermuda even though there are numerous other car brands that will last 10 to 15 years in Bermuda?? It is the perceived value of what they are getting that makes the difference!

      I continue to be amazed at how many potential visitors either do not know about Bermuda or claim that they will not come here because of unfounded fears about the ‘Bermuda triangle’. They do not know that we have multiple daily flights to the US, Europe and Canada.

      • Onion Juice says:

        Which supports my POINT about Hanbury’s $1000 A DAY salary and $100,000 bonus for failing.

        • Zevon says:

          And a hotel is being built in St George. Something you lot couldn’t do.

  18. Coffee says:

    Friends and Family .

    • jt says:

      How so?

    • Unbelievable says:

      There’s no evidence of that. If so, you should come forward with it. Of course, you won’t cuz you’re just angry the PLP failed at getting a hotel in St. George’s.

  19. jealous says:

    PLP are just vexed cause MP Zane D didn’t get the tender…In the words of our great leader The Hon Dr Ewart Brown….”this too shall pass”

    • serengeti says:

      Was that when Global Hue’s contact was renewed without tender?

    • mj says:

      Zane is a Bermudian>PERIOD!!!, why would there be jealousy in him not getting the project…Why DIDn’t it go out to tender? Prolly coz Bob lacks interpsersonal skills and cannot effectively communicate with multiple persons at one time nor has he the organizational skills required to actually get the process underway..THAT is what he accuses us of not understanding,That he is not in control of his own emotions nor thought process so he must only speak of what he is sure of which is very little , specially of an ACTING Premier.. Bermuda, Yes is so pretty and those chameleons are just trying to blend in..

  20. mj says:

    I’m reminded of the failed Daniels Head resort, which was pushed through by then Minister Derrick Burgess and seemed to have all assurances of success even toted by Present OBA Party Minister Grant GIbbons who gave it his approval based on what he said was their ability of having cashflow..Now today, many tourist have come and stayed at the resort and are still today awaiting a return to a supposed to be redevelopement that was supposed to take place esplecially after they were granted a 240 year lease!!!!!!The Ics do not even have rent to pay government annually for the property and it now houses many locals who are renting the cabanas!! Where is the big conversation on the fist fiasco of giving long term leases and handshakes to people who make promises they cannot keep, they just appear to have good ideas, anyone who needs a 100year lease is broke and is relying on public to fund their project.. When are we going to wake up..Bob is being a snob as usual thinking that we the public don’t understand how to do business when he himself is very vague in his speeches and stutters a bit too much for any one to understand wht he is trying to relay.. This will not be a success , theses people have no money to contribute, they do have a starter kit that we are financing and what Bob doesn’t understand is that the public are well aware of plans to USE us to finance others..All the concessions and long leases just mean that we are expected to pay in the longrun for a project that should have gone out to local tender and opinion first..ANyone want a cabana?????going rate is now less than half from 2010!!! Tourisnt still awaiting renovations that do not look st to happen anytime soon as these so called fat cats are BROKE!!!!check out those phoney handshakes and uncomfortable smiles… Bob where is your safety net?

  21. Starting Point says:

    People seem to struggle with the word ‘interim’ the UK government has set out its requirements before the ‘final’ work is agreed and construction can begin. Unlike the PLP, the OBA respects the position of the UK government, unlike the PLP, the OBA does not slander the UK government. Where there is disagreement the OBA talks to the UK, the PLP marches with mis-spelled banners.

    The revenue issue is there, but you need to face the reality that we need a new airport, we can not afford an airport because a previous government inherited a surplus and took it to a massive deficit and installed an infrastructure that can only build on this deficit (civil service).

    I still say that despite not being the perfect government at the end of its first term the OBA should have the following on its resume:

    PATI Legislation
    St. Georges Hotel breaking ground – jobs
    Naval Annex Hotel breaking ground (credit to PLP as well for initial work) – jobs
    Americas Cup – on ESPN for several years, massive promotion of Bermuda, infrastructure work etc.
    End to Conscription
    First Casino licences – revenues – jobs
    Breaking ground on a new Airport – jobs
    Human rights amendments
    Continued support of Green family developments (credit to PLP as well) – jobs
    increased guest worker population back to the ‘hey’ day (2008) of the PLP lol – economic power
    All while continuing to support IB as the pillar of our economy

    It may not look like the PLP hand out mentality but it builds capacity of the country, I would rather a job and earn my money than a hand out that comes from my fellow Bermudians taxes any day.

  22. Moonshine says:

    I do not understand why there is such a strong tie with Canada when it comes to commercial projects in Bermuda. Look at the Hospital… it could have been designed a lot better all the way down to the utility cavity… It would seem that blind eyes are being turned for every special project because “Canadians” are the end all be all it seems. Canada is all for themselves when they export their trade. They are aggressive when they want to explore new revenue streams and then get out of Dodge when they leave their half a**ed products.

  23. Just a matter of time says:

    Do you realize that not once has the Minister addressed why this is a no bid deal? Not once that I can recall. All he says is that it’s a good deal, they’re paying, etc and never explains it further. Again, there is nobody else out there that can do a similar job just to even compare??

    Civil Servants on a whole are constantly beaten up by OBA supporters and accused for not being efficient and engaging in good business practices like the private sector, yet our Minister of Finance refuses to engage in proper governance and efficiency on this deal despite the concerns of Deloitte and the OBA supporter’s beloved financial guru, Mr. Burchall. He is given a pass. At least get another quote from a similar business that does a similar thing. The Minister keeps side tracking saying we will be in more debt if we pay someone else to do it, or we don’t have the money… (yeah, duh). I am talking about another bid that does business like CCC and fronts the money. There is no one else on planet earth that does this? No other type of financial mechanism….none? Just take the first thing smoking?

    Where is the Auditor General in all of this? Why has she not said a peep on this controversial no bid deal? It doesn’t look good for her staying quiet like this. She should at least make a press statement or something. And the fact that they are rushing this with such speed and gusto without full transparency is a cause for real concern. We would have never known about the false letterhead controversy, confusion in dates in dealing with CCC, increasing departure taxes by nearly 50% without admitting it has to do with CCC, not revealing the tourism numbers to sustain this venture, etc. were it not for the Union making a PATI request in Canada. Was there a study done that stated that tourists found our airport to be such a dump or something? Did the airlines say, hey we would fly in more planes if only your airport was bigger? If our airport size was good enough for the high volumes in our heyday and our airport looks much better now than then, then why go ahead with this? Every time I fly back home, I am always reviewing our arrivals hall which looks better than some airports I have seen in the US. The exterior also looks great to the first time visitor. If it’s about ramps, heck bring some in, cut out some of the wall on the upper level and boom! Ya got a ramp! And it doesnt’ have to cost $250 million either! (Oh and throw in a few more restrooms too)

    Can’t CCC do a lesser deal on a scaled down project that wouldn’t hurt the Bdian and tourist traveler through departure taxes and God knows what other hidden fees? What is the contingency if tourist arrivals do not improve? How on earth is this project considered to be such a priority when people are suffering on this island yet the Govt can find money for BTA’s lack lustre performance, AC35, handouts in perpetuity (oops, I mean concessions) to businesses, and the like? I find it hard to believe that with the Minister stating that CCC will bear all of the cost we are never told fully at what at what price? I don’t think it will be $250 million. That’s the floor people. It will be much more, watch. Bet your boots CCC will not do this if it wasn’t worth their while. And boy is it ever. Our precious airport profits (Yes profits when you include departure taxes) will be INCREASED over time to meet THEIR profit margins. $100 departure taxes and more will not be too far off. So why couldn’t we get that same profit margin without building a new airport and give it back to us? Even if the PLP win the next election their hands will be tied as the die would have already been cast. Yet the only argument OBA supporters have is to blame the PLP for everything they currently doing. Everything. That conveniently gives the OBA a pass to do….anything.

    • serengeti says:

      “Do you realize that not once has the Minister addressed why this is a no bid deal?”

      Yes he has. He has explained it many times. If you can’t be bothered to listen, that’s up to you.

      • Impressive says:

        Well he was asked last night to elaborate and he chose not do.. Adopting a “Trust Us” approach and name calling.. Thats wasnt mature, and despite the fact with regards to whether this airport is good deal or not.. It seems it is being pushed through to feed egos and pockets.

  24. marcusbmco says:

    Congratulations OBA !!

    You just lost my vote and my support. If this money was going towards our decrepit roads and bridges w/ some cheap, used, jetways and modifications I would support you.

    POWER = those ministers and their supporters
    NO POWER = the weak minded sheeple who are losing their country through debt.

    Future: looks bleak where I’m sitting, but boy, Bermuda is pretty ain’t it !!!

  25. Accurate says:

    Itch itch – scratch scratch – man Mr. Average Bermuda must feel like he walked through a big patch of poison ivy after reading all these negative comments. What will help is that big dab of chamomile lotion coming in the form of at least 100 rented apartments to house the incoming workers.

    Aaah! Mortgage paid! And in case you are in any doubt as the the veracity of this – check out the correlation between departing tower cranes in Hamilton and empty middle class apartments island-wide. It wasn’t just departing Int Business workers now was it?

  26. Just a matter of time says:

    @ Serengeti. You’re splitting hairs. The point I am making is that he has never explained why a no bid is the way to go. He has not once explained why he refuses to take it out to tender to a company that operates similarly to CCC. Apples with apples. The only explanation given is that Govt will have to pay for the airport as the only alternative. That’s it. So my argument still stands. He has not once explained why he would not take this to tender with another organization who can similarly provide the cash upfront that operates like CCC. How does he know another doesn’t exist? Has he tried? Please let me know because it seems you’re the only one who knows and I stand corrected and all of this controversy about a no bid goes away.

  27. ally oop says:

    don’t you dare tell me I don’t care!

  28. ally oop says:

    you are our employees…we are your employers….dignify ….our relationshi0!

  29. ally oop says:

    relatioñship,