OBA: ‘Inexcusable Waste Of Taxpayers Dollars’
[Updated with video] “This inexcusable waste of taxpayers dollars lies squarely with Premier Burt and his colleagues,” OBA MP Craig Cannonier said following the government’s announcement that a “decision was made to pivot the Bermudiana Beach Resort to residential rental units.”
The property, originally called Grand Atlantic, was built over a decade ago as a housing development, only one unit was sold, the plans were then adjusted to make it a hotel development, and the plans have now adjusted to make the property into residential rental units.
Mr Cannonier said, “I am blown away to learn of the latest failed project on the Bermudiana Beach Club project!
“I have a question for every resident of Bermuda.
“What could you do with 100 million dollars? It’s no doubt, the possibilities are endless—and definitely life changing.
“The Government’s recent announcement for the plans for Bermudiana Beach Resort is a last ditch attempt to salvage a huge mess created by the Burt Administration.
“And if they take this latest course of action they will once again increase the cost of living, drastically increase the cost of housing and make it even more unaffordable for the average Bermudian to put a roof over their head! This is unconscionable !
“It was clear from the beginning by any right thinking person that any of the proposed initiatives by government were not feasible. The Government refused to listen to the BHC and others and look what a mess we face today!
“This mess…this inexcusable waste of taxpayers dollars…lies squarely with Premier Burt and his colleagues. No spinning, no prevaricating nor berating others can change the facts.
“The government led by Burt has failed and the people pay; once again!
“A few questions that must be answered:
- how much has been spent in total on this project?
- how much has been paid to local contractors and who are they?
- what is expected to be spent to finish the project to meet the changed plans?
- who took the decision to hire the consultant to do a feasibility study?
- so the person who took the decision to use a consultant did not believe that there was anyone within government who could look at the project and give the advice that it was not feasible?
- what date was the contract signed to do the feasibility study?
- how much did the study cost?
- before government got into this project that has now failed was a feasibility study done?
“Once again the PLP Government has wasted taxpayer funding while Bermudians struggle greatly in their own country.
“You drive around Bermuda, the most scenic place in the world… our roads are a mess and overgrowth makes it very dangerous to drive. The money used in this failed fiasco could have provided Bermuda with the best roads, well kept, in the entire world!
“Premier Burt, call the election. The people deserve better and should be able to vote on a change in leadership. Enough is enough.”
So is having you as a OBA mp. You need to quit politics with some of the PLP worthless. I can’t believe the party still has you in a safe seat.
This right here!
Is this planned for Clearwater Middle School as nothing has been done or even attempted to be done. Grass is almost as high as a child. X makes changes happen. No representation…..vote for change.
Are there no laws or even ethical rules that can be brought up to toss out these failures? What company in the private sector would allow $100 million to just go up in smoke with no accountability? Would executives still have their jobs?
MP Craig Cannonier – how about filing PATI requests to the Government & the BTA? That way, both entities will have to comply with your information requests. (sarcasm)
“What could you do with 100 million dollars?” Well, how about an audit, for starters, to see exactly where the money was spent and to which Friends & Family members? (sarcasm)
Face it, the OBA will get nothing without taking officials to court from Mr. Big on down. With an election coming up, it is best to do it now so the official responses to the lawsuit will be public record. Double whammy, PATI and lawsuit.
They were ORIGINALLY set up to be residential housing and the OBA changed the plan to make them tourist rentals. The OBA forced out a family that was already living there and everything. So now for the OBA to be complaining is wild! LOL!!!! They only want their way. They never cared about Bermudians, just the $$$$!