Comments on: Minister: Airport Plan Appraisal Now Completed

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Thu, 21 May 2015 18:02:58 +0000

If the OBA are, as you say, “buying a Porshe”, the plp must have wanted a Lamborghini Veneno. Their plans alone cost us $800,000. Look it up if you don’t believe me. And we got nothing but higher debt from that set of plans. Nothing else.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:13:39 +0000

The OBA has entered into an MOU to buy a Porsche , Hiring someone to tell us if we got a good deal on the Porsche, tells us nothing about whether a Honda is sufficient for our needs..

By: rhonda

rhonda — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:35:13 +0000

I want to see the assessment of the tendering process. Not an assessment trying to make wrong, right.

By: Trulytruly

Trulytruly — Thu, 21 May 2015 03:41:07 +0000

Seems you are ignoring the immediate political landscape. The expression, a day in politics is a long time, comes to mind. Would you have advised the OBA to wait until Friday to make this announcement? With the plp trotting off the London and in a meeting with the FCO today and over a week of over the top accusations swirling around the island? No, Bob did the best thing he could have done. In doing so, he has blunted the attack considerably and brought the debate back reality. Even the likes of Alvin are now beginning to accept the airport project is going ahead under the OBA’s plan. As recently as yesterday he was singing quite a different tune. That alone speak volumes about the impact of today’s presenation by Bob Richards.

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Thu, 21 May 2015 02:30:29 +0000

Drug testing is required for an ATC, and we know how he feels about that

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Thu, 21 May 2015 02:28:02 +0000

They did tell us there was going to be an independent review, it came up several months ago. As for standards, I deal with them regularly and there are two words that establish whether something has to be done or not necessarily, ‘should’ and ‘shall’. Finally, an RFP plays little part in being able to establish value; whether or not a project has value is determined almost entirely by its Design Construction contract and this can be easily assessed

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Thu, 21 May 2015 02:15:25 +0000

You know that an RFP is automatically any more transparent. Frankly, having an independent review is a step towards greater transparency than having a RFP without one. In the end, the. Only thing that can garantee value on a project is a well defined Design Construction contract

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Thu, 21 May 2015 01:50:42 +0000

That certainly cleared the air.

By: Coffee

Coffee — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:26:10 +0000

To all of the paid UBP /OBA keyboard heavyweights … He who laughs last , laughs best !

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:16:48 +0000

Glad you’re finally coming around Alvin. Yes, it is going to be built, whether you or the plp like it or not. Get on board.

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:13:43 +0000

The valuation was asked for by the UK, as there will not be an RFP. The findings will be incorporated into the final proposal to ensure that we get a fair deal. Are you also concerned that the Canadian Government is guaranteeing the whole project too?

By: pot stirer

pot stirer — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:56:16 +0000

Question?
Who is paying for the opposition trip to England?
Thanks.

By: Regina

Regina — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:33:49 +0000

You can’t make this stuff up. Yea, big waste of time. Hope they are on their own dime!

By: Alvin Williams

Alvin Williams — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:15:37 +0000

The OBA government has given this Canadian company a golden handshake which will give and give; But since they are going to run Bermuda’s airport; the Bermuda government should no longer pay for airliners to come here and they should also pay for the up keep of the runways; a little detail that has not been discuss?

By: stunned...

stunned... — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:15:26 +0000

oh dear – “4 stooges/plp”, the “Shady Bunch”, “Shallow Ministers”…this is sounding too much like material for the “Not the Um Um Show” or the Non-Mariners Race! lol

By: Kangoocar

Kangoocar — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:58:44 +0000

Ok folks it is now official!!! The 4 stooges/plp have once again run off half cocked with misinformation!!! This time it is to the UK, they probably now are spending their time trying to come up with some sort of a story to bring back to their sheeple?? I feel sorry for the UK representative who had to waste their time listening to their nonsense, one can only assume that Representive is having a good laugh with his mates over a pint or two concerning it!!!!!

By: Redman

Redman — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:26:04 +0000

@ Jus’ Askin’

Yeah no transparency, They hid things so well that 2000 plus documents all related to the Airport & clearly accessible just got ‘leaked’ by the PLP campaign, oops I meant the Peoples Campaign. I guess that isn’t transparent enough for some! So much for hiding things in books, emails etc… lol.

By: stunned...

stunned... — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:48:52 +0000

chuckle for the day – the plp delegation in the uk referred to as the “Shady Bunch”, comprised of the plp leader and his “Shallow” ministers.

By: Real talk (original)

Real talk (original) — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:44:03 +0000

The Independent Valuation was carried out because the UK government was not happy about some aspects of the proposal.

What should concern us all is:

1. What elements of the proposal was the UK not happy with; and
2. What are the gaps identified in the Deloitte Report that still need to be addressed?

By: Real talk (original)

Real talk (original) — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:42:07 +0000

You mean the emails obtained from the Canadian Government under Canadian PATI legislation?

By: Jeremy Deacon

Jeremy Deacon — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:39:51 +0000

My point still stands.

By: bluebird

bluebird — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:39:46 +0000

No more pay to play with the OBA.

By: bluebird

bluebird — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:37:27 +0000

Thank you Mr Richards for getting us a new airport at no cost to the TAXPAYER.And it will be more efficient because it will be run by private enterprize.NO GOVERMENT.
aND WE WILL STILL HAVE A NEW AIRPORT after these folks have gone as they cannot take it with them.

By: bluebird

bluebird — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:34:40 +0000

The PLP are TTTTTeed! OFF because they cant turn a Berkley school type of build at the airport.Just imagine a $50Million project going to $123Million and think what they could do at the airport.More dollars would disappear into thin air.

By: stunned...

stunned... — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:28:38 +0000

the timing is just, well …scandalous! must be Eggland over there now…

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:27:21 +0000

btw. the plp want a new airport built too. They only spent $800,000 on drawing up plans and that was without any real prospects of hotel development which exists now. New branded hotels are an area for potential new air arrivals. As Bob has said, CCC have been doing very deep analyses on this very subject. To a degree we in Bermuda are not familiar with. As the ones who are committing the money, they going to do all they can to assure themselves Bermuda has real potential for growth in tourism. But I know that won’t satisfy you because you.

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:49:03 +0000

You don’t pay attention then

By: blow in

blow in — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:43:21 +0000

with a new airport and jobs on offer ,he might get a start in air traffic control, if he can remain calm under pressure

By: clearasmud

clearasmud — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:32:37 +0000

If they were being transparent they would have told us before they went but it looks as if they only went because the UK would not give the nod to the deal without this review. Also the statement that we dont have to follow the Green book is misleading considering it is the UK standard and we need their blessing. Frankly I dont have any problem with the method of funding but it is hard to see the value if you have nothing to compare it with!

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:23:00 +0000

Oh nooo!!!! Say it isn’t so!! The OBA has not gone forward & gotten on with the job without PLP approval have they???? What will the PLP complain about next & stick that oh so original ‘GATE’ onto it?

What could be next? Some meaningful cuts to the civil service maybe?

By: Tough Love

Tough Love — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:22:40 +0000

“They know that there are many opportunities to grow air arrivals through a new facility. They wouldn’t be doing otherwise, would you?”

Per Rhonnie you are daft!

By: Jus Wonderin'

Jus Wonderin' — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:21:28 +0000

Sure you are…but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Still didn’t see you calling out the PLP/UBP when they were in power though.

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:20:29 +0000

They are taking into account new branded hotel builds which will improve air traffic. I imagine new air routes are being explored too, including assuming responsibility for air traffic control, which is currently done out of the US. They are in the business and we are not.

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:47:11 +0000

Yes, it would be interesting to see the report, which obviously has been done and is being further worked on. Do you think CCC would invest $255 million without having done extensive research along with having deep knowledge from decades of industry experience? They know that there are many opportunities to grow air arrivals through a new facility. They wouldn’t be doing otherwise, would you?

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:42:19 +0000

Timing is everything and the timing of this press release was as good as it gets.

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:40:33 +0000

Great timing Minister Richards!

By: Lois Frederick

Lois Frederick — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:39:12 +0000

So relieved you are not running things around here. CCC are the ones who are of the opinion that air arrivals will improve, there the ones committing the $255 million. With a new facility many more opportunities will present themselves, that at the moment we can’t even imagine. CCC can.

By: inna

inna — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:31:17 +0000

On Friday, when the house always meets when in session.

By: Unbelievable

Unbelievable — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:13:52 +0000

Bob Richards be like,”Screw you and your dang emails and protests. This airport will be built”.

By: damn....

damn.... — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:00:47 +0000

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS DONT SPEND ANY MONEY…PLUS ST. GEORGES IS MUG…SOMMERSET!!!!!!

By: Huh?

Huh? — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:52:58 +0000

Right there with you.
Ironically the Bermudian brand of frugal practicality is no fun for Bermudian politicians. They want stadiums and mega-schools, and incinerator plants and colleges and more mega schools and new government buildings … and airports. They want these things somewhat independently of the needs of their constituents. They need people who are employed on election day. Beyond that what happens to those people comes down to the next overblown capital project.

We need to get smarter. No danger of that it would seem.

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:46:07 +0000

You do know I am not for either party
I am for a “Better Bermuda for All Bermudians”

By: eegrunce

eegrunce — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:45:46 +0000

I hope they will be revaling to the public a breakdown of the cost of this trip…..but that would be too transparent.

By: Raymond Ray

Raymond Ray — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:40:52 +0000

We, that support you and the One Bermuda Alliance thank you for keeping all of us abreast. Progress is being made…

By: Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar

Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:36:29 +0000

I don’t think anyone said a new airport is going to increase arrivals. If they did, I’d like to know who, because that’s daft.

And sometimes it makes far more sense to build new rather than try to renovate an old property. And in the case of the airport, it’s not like we can live without one for the amount of time to demolish the old one and rebuild on the same location.

By: Jeremy Deacon

Jeremy Deacon — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:34:50 +0000

I do wish that when Ministers make statements that refer to a report that they would release the report at the same time so that we can get a full story.
I know they say it will be tabled in the House of Assembly but that is when?

By: Huh?

Huh? — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:29:16 +0000

Well, that’s pretty much wrong based on the evidence, isn’t it?
Government, hearing the consternation in the public chatter went to the Foreign Office, and did so obviously weeks before the idea occurred to the PLP.

They obtained an independent opinion. They have never been apologetic for not going through a bid process because they argue that the deal is good for Bermuda. The independent opinion is intended to evaluate that, and not whether the thing should have gone out for bids.

Don’t get me wrong. I think a new airport is a waste of time and effort, but your statement is just more space-filling non-information. You are not pushing us toward a positive result.

Like it or not the OBA appears to be smarter, more honest and more open than the PLP were while they were in Government. That is not to say that they are the smartest, most honest or the most open, just comparatively more so. They are even smart, honest and open to the point of being acceptable and that is more than I could say of the PLP after Alex Scott left the office of premiere.

By: Spongebob

Spongebob — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:28:52 +0000

You are very much entitled to you opinion and so be it. However, if there is no transparency, how is everyone talking about those emails which all have been able to find and read and how are people able to know exactly what has been spent on trips or expenses?

Seems to be more transparent than it was in the past.

However I see that no matter what is done, there will always be an excuse to blame.

Spend less time blaming others for things and take ownership, correct the path and make it right.

By: Bermyman

Bermyman — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:18:33 +0000

The whole reason why we have an ongoing public debate in this case is due to the current government’s transparency and PATI. Under the PLP we got nothing accept the Bill!

By: Jus' Wonderin'

Jus' Wonderin' — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:16:39 +0000

Just like your beloved PLP/UBP did right?! Jus’ Askin’!