Dunkley: Questions About Bermudiana Resort
“It is unacceptable that a Minister would deliver a statement to Parliament and then be unable to provide the most basic answers to questions,” MP Michael Dunkley said, adding that “it makes one wonder why there was a ribbon cutting ceremony when the Government cannot readily give summary details on the investment in the new venture.”
Mr Dunkley was referring to questions he asked about the Minister’s statement on the Bermudiana Beach Resort, which pertained to the Government’s plans to redevelop the former Grand Atlantic property into condo-hotels.
Video of the Bermudiana Beach Resort ribbon cutting ceremony last week
Mr. Dunkley said, “The more questions you ask the more questions arise! On Friday in Parliament I asked the Minister of Tourism questions on his statement regarding the launch of the Bermudiana Beach Resort.”
“The Minister said the property is being developed by a wholly owned subsidiary of the BHC with expert input from specialist resort codeveloper team of MacLellan & Associates. I asked the Minister what is the investment by Government or the BHC and also the investment by MacLellan [a commitment in dollars] in the planned development. The Minister said he would have to get back to me.”
“The Minister also mentioned in his statement the refurbishment of 71 condos and that the remaining condos would be converted to amenities like reception, restaurant, bar etc. I asked who is responsible for that part of the development and what is the budget. The Minister replied again he would get the information.”
“Finally, I asked the sale price of the condos to both local and international purchases. Again he said he would get back to me as it is a moving target but he believes it is “in the lower 400’s and up”.”
“I find the lack of answers extraordinary. It is unacceptable that a Minister would deliver a statement to Parliament and then be unable to provide the most basic answers to questions that one would assume be asked upon delivering a statement.”
“In addition, it makes one wonder why there was a ribbon cutting ceremony when the Government cannot readily give summary details on the investment in the new venture.”
“Instead we have another Minister go off on a tangent and say the Grand Atlantic project was subject to “sabotage” and “black people are not supposed to have beach access on South Shore Road.” What a load of nonsense!”
“Let me remind the PLP that the “sabotage” was the poor planning and a waste of $45 million dollars by the former PLP Government on what they said would be affordable housing! Sadly for cover in this debacle the Minister resorted to the typical PLP tactic of divide and conquer using the “race card.” This divisive and hateful language is unacceptable and we as Bermudians expect better from the Government.”
Can Mr. Dunkley ask if other developments have been given exemptions from paying occupancy taxes?
This place has a massive unfair advantage over all the hotels and rental units in the area as a result.
I can understand giving exemptions on duty etc to get the place up and running, but exempting them from the tax the rest of the hoteliers pay is not right.
Mr Dunkley knows very well that the grand atlantic was sabotaged by many in his party and in the community crying foul about the cliff caving in etc. No one wanted to touch the condos after that for all of the scaremongering that was thrown around. Now everyone is silent on those issues.
It is sad how a former leader of our country has resorted to just chirping at every and any opportunity.
But it was a valid point !
The new developers have plans according to govt to shore it up
Well why didn’t the plp ensure it was shored up and stable when they built it
So you would rather have had all the condos sold than make the development safe for locals ?
Stop with the sabotage BS. The majority of Bermudians at that time voted for and supported the PLP and their decisions. To credit the OBA with being the reason that ONE unit sold is ludicrous! Not one minister or family member purchased a single unit? You want us to believe the the OBA had mystical powers and brainwashed them too. If not one single minister, PLP member or family thought it was a good idea one must acknowledge that even they knew it wasn’t a good long term investment or they themselves didn’t trust the messenger.
Because they’re clueless and wouldn’t know ow the truth if it bit them on the arse.
Wonder which contractor will be chachinging
So I guess de airport deal was open and transparent.
LOL
SICK man… just does not get it….One would guess he feels empowered.
By whom??
His group!!!
Dunkley….. your values, your criticisms hold NO value!!!
They are empowered by generational wealth, biased policies, banking favoures and a System that protects their interest.
Maybe the guy wore the shorts prematurely. We sure do love our press conferences around here though!
Well
STFU Dunkley! Anything that does not enrich his milk or sugar drink business which kills Bermudians he is against!
“Let me remind the PLP that the “sabotage” was the poor planning and a waste of $45 million dollars by the former PLP Government on what they said would be affordable housing!
As I remember it Mr. Dunkley and company put fear of purchasing into people by claiming that the project would or could fall into the sea. As such it was no surprise when people did not buy the units.
“claiming that the project would or could fall into the sea. ”
Why are they ‘shoring ‘ it up then? Because it’s unstable?
Do you know what ‘unstable’ means?
People didn’t buy because they could not afford … .end of
It was $45m of borrowed money. 6% compound interest for 9 years has brought the cost up to over $76m. Wasted.
Thanks PLP.
Let you not forget the UBP aka oba guaranteed $165 million into the Caroline Bay residential development at Morgan Point. We tax payers are screwed.
THANK YOU UBP. Bunch of fools all the way to changing names.
What are the terms of the $165m guarantee? It may not be needed.
As to the UBP/OBA nonsense you speak, there are more ex UBP Leaders in the PLP. So if the UBP were fools, the PLP are no different.