06292017 business

business@tribunemedia.net

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017

$4.15 $1.6M MATTHEW CLAIM DISPUTE HEADS TO COURT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net DISPUTES over Hurricane Matthew-related claims are hitting the Supreme Court, with one Lyford Cay property owner alleging his insurer and broker are “stalling” to avoid a $1.6 million payout.

The corporate owner of Jacaranda, understood to be controlled by a wealthy Kentucky resident, is battling Summit Insurance Company and Insurance Management (Bahamas) over both the value of construction repairs and issues related to the insurance policy contract.

Bolingbroke Ltd, in its June 22, 2017, statement of claim is alleging that Summit and Insurance Management - respectively the policy’s underwriter and agent/ broker - are disputing the repair costs and raising concerns of under-insurance as “an excuse not to pay out on a justified claim”.

The Jacaranda owner is also claiming that the two

Lyford Cay owner fights local insurers Claims seeking ‘an excuse’ not to pay-out Summit, Insurance Management fight claims companies “failed to disclose material facts” when it purchased its insurance policy, namely that Summit and Insurance Management are affiliated companies because they share the same principal shareholder in Cedric Saunders.

Its statement of claim also alleges that Summit and Insurance Management failed to ensure its owners “fully understood the deductible clause” in the policy, and that the 10 per cent deductible was calculated on the basis of the sum assured See PG B12

Awaiting Baha Mar land swap close

SUPERCLUBS Breezes Calls for hotels to be owner yesterday said he was favoured over cruise “ready to start again” on the Cable Beach resort’s expansion plans, adding that ‘Gear all Govt policy’ its ‘land swap’ agreement towards hotels with Baha Mar should be completed in the next few months. tions Corporation (JAMJohn Issa, told Tribune PRO) mission.

Business: “We had the Mr Issa had previously drawings done and spent told Tribune Business that hundreds of thousands of Baha Mar’s filing for Chapdollars, but it had to be ter 11 bankruptcy protecshelved because the road tion had left SuperClubs’s was being moved, and there- own plans, which called for fore it changed the configu- a 50 per cent expansion of ration of our parking, tennis its 400-room Cable Beach court and so on. property, “in limbo”. The “We are ready to start plans had projected the creagain once the land swap ation of 300 jobs. is completed. This hotel is He told this newspaper actually too small. The land that the all-inclusive resort swap should be completed had incurred a “substantial” in the next few months.” Mr loss in foregone profits due Issa was speaking at his Ca- to prior delays to its expanble Beach resort, which is sion, which resulted from hosting a Jamaican PromoSee PG B10

$4.19

$4.19

Receivers appointed for Tennyson’s assets

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN ex-Cabinet minister yesterday promised to “fight to the bitter end”, after a $2.57 million creditor obtained a Supreme Courtappointed receiver over his and his wife’s assets.

Tennyson Wells told Tribune Business he and his wife, Stephanie, would co-operate with the receivers while still planning to appeal their dispute with Bahamas-domiciled Oshi Enterprises to the Privy Council.

He was speaking after this newspaper obtained a ‘Notice of Appointment of

Wells pledges ‘fight to the bitter end’ 12 companies, law firm, property covered $2.57m creditor enforcing ruling recovery Receivers’, dated April 25, 2017, which revealed that the duo’s law firm, Wells & Wells, together with their personal assets had been placed under the control of Supreme Court-appointed

RAY WINDER

TENNYSON WELLS

agents.

Raymond Winder, Deloitte & Touche (Bahamas) managing partner, was appointed as Wells & Wells’ receiver on January 30, 2017, as a result of Or-

ders made by Justice Indra Charles on November 2, 2016, and December 16, 2016.

He was charged with “taking possession and See PG B12

‘No sense’ in new Govt’s redundancy cap increase

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Breezes ‘ready to start’ again on 50% expansion

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

$4.19

DION FOULKES

PRIVATE sector executives yesterday warned that the Minnis administration’s plans to increase the 12-month redundancy pay ‘cap’ would further endanger an economy already “in deep trouble”.

Peter Goudie, an employment and labour relations

specialist with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, told Tribune Business that such intentions ran contrary to the new government’s stated objective to improve the ‘ease of doing business’.

Mr Goudie warned that such strategy “makes no sense to me”, because any increase to business costs “will not create desperately-needed employment” for See PG B8

Private sector alarm at Foulkes comments Warn Bahamas already ‘in deep trouble’ Runs counter to ‘business ease’ upgrade

Minister ‘envious’ of Jamaica’s trade and investment agency

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday said the Bahamas must develop more trade linkages within the Caribbean, admitting he was “slightly envious” at the “sophistication” of Jamaica’s investment/export promotions agency.

Brent Symonette said the Bahamas, and agencies such as the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), have not yet “graduated to the sophistication” of the Jamaican Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

Bahamas yet to reach that ‘sophistication’ The Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, while speaking at the opening of JAMPRO’s trade mission to the Bahamas, said: “It is only through developing trade in the region that we can grow the region as Caribbean nationals. We have to work together for the benefit of nationals of the entire region. I must admit that I’m slightly envious, that in the Bahamas, See PG B10

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PAGE 2, Thursday, June 29, 2017

How artistry can develop children IT is said that participation in the arts improves a child’s ability to concentrate and focus in other aspects of their lives. For the many naysayers, research has proven that children who have a higher than average exposure to art and the media possess some qualities others do not. In addition to their artistic talent, I have observed that they usually read and write better than their peers.

My belief is that their exposure to art affects other aspects of their learning.

This concept led me to a discussion last week with an artist, who works with children in public schools, that outlined the benefits of arts education - both inside and outside schools.

I submit that parents

should expand their definition of art. If you are a baker or a cook; if you like to arrange flowers; if you enjoy the harmonious arrangement of objects in your home, you are an artist.

These expressions of creativity are as legitimate and valuable as those of painters and the other people we call ‘artists’. If you are a scientist and enjoy inventing and experimenting, you bring an artistic sensibility to your work, and can include yourself in the definition of an artist.

Art is a delightful way through which you can record your child’s growth as well. Just as you will notice that writing and reading improves with age, so does artwork.

I am a firm believer that the role of parents and teachers is to expose children to a variety of materials so that they can create art. Once the variety is offered, children will then have a choice as to whether they want to use the materials or not. But without the exposure, there is no choice.

Creating art is a fine way for children to make choices and solve problems. Every step involves making a decision: What colour to use, how to make a line, what size to make something. With every choice the object becomes more and more their own.

Problem solving

Artistic creations are born through the solving of problems. How do I turn

this clay into a sculpture?

How do I portray a particular emotion through dance?

How will my character react in this situation? Without even realising it, children that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems.

Problem solving develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding.

This will help develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in any career.

Sadly, it is often typical that those who fund school programmes view the visual and performing arts as ‘frills’ initiatives that can be added only when there is enough money for them.

They are the first to be cut if there is a budget crisis.

THE TRIBUNE

Focus

The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is being created.

Non-Verbal Communication

Through experiences in theatre and dance education, children learn to break down the mechanics of body language. They experience different ways of moving, and how those movements communicate different emotions. They are then coached in perfor-

The Art of Graphix

BY DEIDRE M BASTIAN

mance skills to ensure they are portraying their character effectively to the audience.

Receiving Constructive Feedback

See PG B11

MINISTRY of Tourism’s director-general Joy Jibrilu spends time with Travel Agents.

TOURISM EXPOSES TRAVEL AGENTS TO THE BAHAMAS THE Ministry of Tourism hosted 250 travel professionals from the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) in the Bahamas over the past week.

The ASTA/NACTA Bahamas Showcase took place at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort on June 21- 24, with the aim of familiarising the agents with what the Bahamas has to offer - thus making the destination easier to sell to their clients.

Joy Jibrilu, the Ministry of Tourism’s director-general, said the event was just one of many familiarisation trips the Ministry has offered to educate travel professionals on the Bahamas.

“We wanted the travel agents to experience the islands of the Bahamas, not just Nassau, Paradise Island. They had an opportunity to go to the Family Islands before and after the showcase. The goal really is to educate them on the beauty, the diversity and all that the Bahamas has to offer, including our hotels, our tours and experiences, so that when they go back to their companies they become the experts in selling our destinations,” Mrs Jibrilu said.

The agents participated in several hotel site inspections and presentations by the tourism promotion boards. They also enjoyed sightseeing tours, a Bahamas workshop series that included a Taste our Bahamas celebrity cooking show, a presentation on romance options, a crash course in Bahamian culture and an ‘Authentically Bahamian’ craft marketplace.

Jennifer Gardiner-Bannister, area manager at the Bahamas Tourist Office in Florida, said strengthening relationships with travel agents is a priority for the Ministry, especially as recent studies have shown that although travellers are likely to search their desti-

TRAVEL agents enjoy Junkanoo.

nation online, they often go through travel agents when it is time to book. “[Travel agents] don’t sell what they don’t know.

We’re giving them a true experience of the islands and, at the same time, they’re learning how to sell the destination, how to earn more commission and how to match their clients with the right island destination.

It was an awesome experience,” Ms Gardiner-Bannister said Bob Duglin, ASTA’s vice-president of business development, added: “Travel agents sell more than 80 per cent of all outbound travel from the United States, so in order for a travel agent to be able to truly understand what product they’re selling and what the difference is, they need to come and experience it for themselves.

They need to know the difference between the Baha Mar and the Comfort Suites, and to be able to talk to their clients about budget and the right property for them.

“The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is smart to bring the travel agents here to learn and experience the destination, so that they can go back and tell their clients first-hand what it’s all about. Not every destination does that as well as the Bahamas.”

Enoch Boakye, ASTA Chapter president in Ghana, said he came to the showcase to be able to sell the destination better to his African, European and North American clients.

“If you do not feel it, you cannot sell it as a travel agent. I need to taste it and feel it so that I can sell it properly; that’s why I’m here,” Boakye said. “Now we’re going to sell the Bahamas to [our clients] so that they know it’s a destination that you can trust, a destination that you can feel at home. It’s a home away from home, for African travellers especially.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 3

BRENT: ‘WE MUST GET IT DONE’ ON EASE OF DOING BUSINESS Bahamas can’t be left ‘flat-footed’ over trade

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday stressed that the Bahamas cannot simply “talk the talk” on improving the ease of doing business, insisting: “We have to find ways to get this done.”

Brent Symonette, minister of financial services, trade and industry and Immigration, while addressing the private sector at a Chamber breakfast, said there were some “low hanging fruits” that could be dealt with very easily.

“We have to get away from the frustrations that the businesses feel,” he said. “It’s not just talking

BRENT SYMONETTE

the talk; we have to find ways to get this done.”

He described the need to improve the ‘ease of doing business’ as the Bahamas’ “number one priority”.

Mr Symonette added that the cost of borrowing was “too high”, adding: “We have to find a way that local businesses can pledge their assets here to an offshore bank, so that they can have access to capital and you do not have to mortgage your unborn grandchild. The cost of borrowing is too expensive.

We also have to find a way for small businesses to get empowered to get into business.”

“BEC is a big problem.

That is one that I know we are dealing with. We have to get the cost of electricity down,” he added. “If we are going to promote trade we have to decide whether the Government of the Bahamas want to continue

along the WTO accession route. Do we need to sign on wholesale to WTO, or do we need to look at some form of protectionism? If BEC is too high people cannot manufacture here, and we are going to lose that industry and have to depend even more heavily on tourism.”

Mr Symonette, while addressing questions from the audience, also backed the use of the public-private partnership (PPP) model, while noting that the Minnis administration was reviewing the six deals signed under the former administration just before the general elections.

“There is no question that PPPs are a good way to go,” said Mr Symonette, adding that “there is very little money to work with” amid the Government’s fiscal crisis.

He added that there were a number of government buildings that have deteriorated and could become PPP projects under a build, own, operate and transfer (BBOT) type of arrangement with the private sector.

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas must not be left “flat-footed” in its approach to international trade, the Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive warned yesterday, arguing that more local companies should seek to enter export markets and trade across borders.

Edison Sumner warned: “The Bahamas should not be left flatfooted on this, and must aggressively pursue trade in exports and services.”

Cross-border trading, he added, was one way to grow this nation’s economy.

“We need to tap into new markets, we need to be able to bring in more foreign currency into the Bahamas, and that way we can grow the economy and see the creation of more jobs,” he argued.

Mr Sumner’s comments came on the sidelines of a trade mission by the Jamaican Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), which brought 13 Jamaican firms

EDISON SUMNER to the Bahamas as part of the agency’s export promotion agenda. The Caribbean Market Mission, a part of JAMPRO’s export development programme, Export Max, began on June 18 in Barbados, with its final stop in the Bahamas wrapping up on Friday.

“The whole idea is that while we are looking to support companies coming in to establish partnerships, we are also looking at reciprocity; we are looking to find ways for Bahamian firms to establish similar partnerships,” said Mr Sumner. “We are keenly interested in pursuing these arrangements with JAMPRO, and we expect to do a similar mission in Jamaica in the future.”

Mr Sumner said the Chamber has led numerous trade missions to promote Bahamian firms to international markets. “The issue has been that when we have our missions, it is not often taken on as well as we would like. Many companies do not get involved for a number of reasons,” he added.

“Local firms have to think about expanding their business outside of the Bahamas, cross-border trading and connections to expand their footprint. It requires some sacrifice, a lot of dedication and focus on how to access the markets. When we did trade missions right to the Florida area, we literally only had about two our three companies from the entire country. There is always an expression of interest, but the follow through is where things fall down.”

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PAGE 4, Thursday, June 29, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamian craft vendors to receive festival boost MORE than 20 craft vendors will set up shop at Arawak Cay and sell their authentic Bahamian goods at the annual Junkanoo Summer Festival (JSF), which begins this Saturday.

While the A and B Junkanoo groups put on a colourful cultural performance, the vendors will be selling items ranging from straw, coconut, seashells, woodcarving, aromatherapy and spa to Junkanoo drums and whistles.

Dereka Moultrie, co-ordinator in the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Authentically Bahamian’ department, said the vendors will be making the move from Pompey Square on July 1, 15, and 22 to become a special feature at the much-anticipated festival.

“Junkanoo Summer Festival promises to be an exciting event this year for our visitors and locals alike. One of the noted features is the Authentically Bahamian Craft village, which will give patrons of the event the opportunity to leave with an authentically Bahamian craft souvenir and Junkanoo paraphernalia,” she said.

“It is very successful because it gives the vendors a chance to spread their entrepreneurial wings. They are able to reach a larger and more diverse market. It’s a different market place and a different atmosphere, where they get to communicate with not only our visitors but many Bahamians as well, who may not get to see them in Pompey Square.”

Christine Davis specialises in sea glass jewellery, and has been a part of the Authentically Bahamian Craft programme at the Ministry of Tourism for eight years.

“Through the Ministry of Tourism I was able to enhance my business with the credit card machine, and now I am able to accept credit cards from tourists. There are also lots of great benefits to going different places where visitors will be,” Ms Davis said.

“I make necklaces, earrings, bracelets,

anklets and anything you can possibly make with sea glass. Everyone loves it because it is a unique way of seeing something that you can recycle.”

Betty Turnquest, of BA Enterprises, has been doing straw craft for 40 years.

She said of the Junkanoo Summer Festival: “It’s very organised; you have more of a crowd at the festival and the potential to make more money is there because you have more people passing through. I look forward to it every year, and this year I’m looking forward to making more money than I did last year.”

Junkanoo Summer Festival, which runs from 4pm to midnight, includes daytime games, more than 30 food vendors and military performances.

Compliance officer passes Series 7 A JUNIOR compliance officer at the Private Trust Corporation, Donovan Newman, has passed the Series 7 exam in Fort Lauderdale after studying with the Nassaubased Securities Training Institute (STI).

Bettina Albury, STI’s operations manager, said: “We are pleased to be able to play a role in preparing individuals to achieve this international designation in order to become qualified to participate in the securities market in the Bahamas.”

STI offers courses for the Series 7, Series 6, Compliance Officer and the Canadian Securities Course, along with various oneday workshops catering to financial services professionals.

Mr Newman is pictured.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 5

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FBO operator expands LPIA hangars, ramp ODYSSEY Aviation, the Fixed Based Operation (FBO) for private aircraft, has signed a contract with Island Industries (Bahamas) to construct its new 20,000 square foot hangar at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

Groundwork is already underway by BHM, the civil works contractor, and the site will be ready for the building’s superstructure in September 2017. The expected completion date is November 2017.

Steven K. Kelly, Odyssey’s chief executive, said Island Industries (Bahamas) was selected because of its expertise and the Butler building systems, which it has been distributing in this nation since 1968.

He said: “When it was time to select a builder for our new state-of-the-art hangar, Island Industries was the wise choice with a Butler building erected by their own experienced, allBahamian crew. Island Industries has the most experience with large clearspan metal buildings in the Bahamas, so we know we can rely on them to get our hangar built within our budget and without problems.”

The hangar will feature 200 feet of clearspan to accommodate clients’ aircraft. A 180 foot by 28 foot rolling door can be power closed quickly in bad weather, and is enclosed in pockets when open.

There will also be 3,000 square feet of office available to Odyssey’s hangar tenants.

Odyssey Aviation’s hanger and ramp expansion will allow the Rubis-branded service provider to shelter more ultra-long range business jets. It will be the company’s second LPIA hangar, and when completed will increase the total hangar space to around 50,000 square feet. Both hangars will handle up to and including the new Gulfstream G650.

Odyssey’s lighted ramp will also undergo a 60,000 square foot expansion, bringing the total footprint to more than 600,000 square feet - almost double the size of any FBO at LPIA. LPIA tops the list of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, and consistently falls in the top 20 in the world. Odyssey Aviation Nassau has the only private property on the field, and the added space will create room to park 20 to 25 more aircraft - significantly boosting the flow of traffic

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LITTLE PROGRESS EVIDENT AS GOP HUNTS HEALTH BILL VOTES

By ALAN FRAM and ERICA WERNER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell explored options for salvaging the battered Republican health care bill Wednesday but confronted an expanding chorus of GOP detractors, deepening the uncertainty over whether the party can resuscitate its bedrock promise to repeal President Barack Obama’s overhaul.

A day after McConnell, short of votes, unexpectedly abandoned plans to whisk the measure through his chamber this week, fresh GOP critics popped forward.

Some senators emerged from a party lunch saying potential amendments were beyond cosmetic, with changes to Medicaid and Obama’s consumer-friendly insurance coverage requirements among the items in play.

“There’s a whole raft of things that people are talking about, and some of it’s trimming around the edges and some of it’s more fundamental,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. “Right now, they’re still kind of, ‘Can we do it?’ and I can’t answer that.”

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PAGE 8, Thursday, June 29, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

‘No sense’ in new Govt’s redundancy cap increase From pg B1 Bahamians.

He was speaking after Dion Foulkes, minister of labour, reiterated in his Senate Budget debate communication that the Government planned to increase the Employment Act’s ‘redundancy cap’ following consultation at the National Tripartite Council level.

This effectively picks up where the Christie administration left off just two months prior to the general election, when it was forced to drop union and labour-

friendly plans to increase the redundancy pay ‘cap’ by two-thirds from its present level.

The Minnis administration’s plans to return to this issue so rapidly have alarmed the private sector, especially given that greater GDP growth is the key to solving the Bahamas’ unemployment and fiscal crises.

Mr Goudie contrasted Mr Foulkes’ pledge, which he also made in his national Labour Bay address, with remarks yesterday by his fellow Cabinet minister, Brent Symonette, on the

need to make conducting business in the Bahamas much simpler and easier.

“This country is in deep trouble,” Mr Goudie told Tribune Business. “We don’t need to put anything in the way of the ‘ease of doing business’.

“Brent Symonette talked this morning at the Chamber Power Breakfast and said we’ve got to make doing business easy. Increasing redundancy costs, or any costs, are not ease of doing business. You can’t talk one thing and then do a different thing.”

Mr Goudie, one of the private sector’s representatives on the National Tripartite Council, added: “We need to be very care-

ful here. I don’t see any real reason to increase these costs when we’re trying to get business to come to the Bahamas.

“It makes no sense to me.

You can quote me on that because that’s the truth.

We’re not in favour of increasing the costs of doing business when we’re trying to make it easier for business to do business.

“We’re not going to create employment by increasing costs, and we’re desperate to increase employment in this country.”

Mr Goudie told Tribune Business that Mr Foulkes had seemed to grasp such “bigger picture” issues when the Chamber, and its labour and employment committee, enjoyed “a very amicable meeting” with the Minister.

“We spoke to him about the need to be more worried about moving the country forward than changing the labour laws,” he added, “although we agreed it wouldn’t hurt to review the Employment Act; not saying it necessarily needs to be changed. We want to be more concerned about the whole country rather than little issues

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around laws. We need to move forward.”

Mr Goudie said Mr Foulkes seemed focused on increasing productivity with the creation of a Productivity Council, while there was “a push” to bring the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) apprenticeship programme proposal to fruition.

“What we’re trying to do with the Minister, and think he is looking at, is the bigger picture and how we’re going to move the country forward and increasing employment,” he added.

At present, line staff remain entitled to a maximum 24 weeks or six months’ redundancy pay, gaining two weeks for each year they have been employed up to the 12-year ‘cap’. Managers remain at a maximum of 48 weeks, or one month for every year worked up to 12 years.

The redundancy cap was a key contention between employers and the the trade unions when Employment Act reforms were introduced earlier this year under the Christie administration.

The former government’s proposals called for the ‘cap’ to be increased to 32 weeks (16 years) for line staff immediately upon enactment of the reforms.

And, ultimately, the ‘cap’ for line staff redundancy pay is to be increased to

40 weeks some two years after the Employment Act amendments are passed.

As for managerial staff, the existing 48 weeks (12 months/one year) redundancy pay maximum that they are due currently under the Employment Act is to be immediately increased to 64 weeks. Should the proposals pass, the ‘cap’ will ultimately be lifted to 80 weeks after two years.

The Chamber at the time branded the removal of redundancy pay ‘caps’ in the Employment Act as “economically untenable”, since they threatened to further deter job-creating investment and business expansion in a climate were the private sector is already bedevilled by uncertainty.

It wrote: “An increase in redundancy pay will result in significant cost increases for an employer. In this present uncertain economic climate, an employer cannot shoulder any additional financial burden. Moreover, the costs associated with the increase are not quantifiable.

“A business which remains open is one where employees remain employed. However, this recommendation threatens to cripple and/or bankrupt most businesses, especially small businesses, in the Bahamas, resulting in lay-offs and business closures.”

PAGE 10, Thursday, June 29, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Minister ‘envious’ of Jamaica’s trade and investment agency From pg B1 we have not graduated to the sophistication of JAMPRO.” “We could take a lot of examples from Jamaica because they have been pioneers in many industries and trades in the world, “Mr Symonette added.

The ‘Caribbean Market Mission’, part of JAMPRO’s export development programme, Export Max, began on June 18 in Barbados, with a final stop in the Bahamas that finishes ] on Friday.

Thirteen Jamaican firms have come to the Bahamas as part of the agency’s export promotion agenda.

Marlene Porter, manager for market development at JAMPRO, which is the Jamaican government’s trade and investment agency, said: “We have a special programme called Export

Max, which is a programme that JAMPRO - along with private sector and other public sector stakeholders - come together to support this particular initiative.

“It is three years, and a part of it is market penetration. We have to take the companies into the market.

We have taken companies to the US, UK and Canada, and this is the last leg of it. We have done Barbados, Trinidad and now we are here in the Bahamas.”

Ms Porter noted that JAMPRO sought not to simply push products, but understand market needs to meet demands. Household chemicals, sauces and spices, coffee, agricultural products, furniture, and irrigation systems are among the products being displayed by Jamaican firms as part of this mission.

Breezes ‘ready to start’ again on 50% expansion From pg B1 the wait to complete a ‘land swap’ agreement with Baha Mar. Speaking yesterday on SuperClubs Breezes’s performance, Mr Issa said: “We are doing better and better each year. The Government must recognise the need to support the industry. In the hotel industry, you earn a dollar and you have to put 75 cents back because you are constantly upgrading.”

Mr Issa argued that the hotel industry should be given greater preference than the cruise industry.

“The cruise industry has leverage over governments because it can threaten to

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

2017

IN THE SUPREME COURT

GEN/eq/292

EQUITY SIDE ALL THAT piece parcel or tract of land containing One Hundred (100) acres originally granted by the Crown to Joseph Roberts on the 21st day of August A.D., 1871 and recorded in the Department of Lands at High Bank Bay on the Island of Abaco, one of the Islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Bounded on the North by land surveyed to John B. Moore at N102º -31’-25” North one hundred and two degrees thirty one minutes twenty-five seconds for a distance of (2604.49’) two thousand, six hundred and four and forty-nine hundreds of a foot, and bounded on the East by a sandy beach the high-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean at N171º -00’00” one hundred and seventy-one degrees zero minutes zero second for a distance of (1797.87’) one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven hundreds of a foot and bounded on the South by a road 20 feet wide separating it from land surveyed to Messrs. Sawyer and Menendez N282º -31’-25’ two hundred and eighty-two degrees thirty-one minutes, twenty-five seconds for a distance of (2604.49’) two thousand, six hundred and four and forty-nine hundreds of a foot and bounded on the West by the Ernest Dean Highway at 351º-00’-00” three hundred and fifty-one degrees zero minutes zero seconds for a distance of (1797.87’) one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven and eight-seven hundreds of a foot.

AND IN THE MATTER of the Quieting Titles Act, 1959 AND IN THE MATTER of the Petition of The Grand Children of James Henry Roberts Holdings Company Ltd. NOTICE ALL THAT piece parcel or tract of land containing One Hundred (100) acres originally granted by the Crown to Joseph Roberts on the 21st day of August A.D., 1871 and recorded in the Department of Lands at High Bank Bay on the Island of Abaco, one of the Islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Bounded on the North by land surveyed to John B. Moore at N102º -31’-25” North one hundred and two degrees thirty one minutes twenty-five seconds for a distance of (2604.49’) two thousand, six hundred and four and forty-nine hundreds of a foot, and bounded on the East by a sandy beach the high-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean at N171º -00’00” one hundred and seventy-one degrees zero minutes zero second for a distance of (1797.87’) one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven hundreds of a foot and bounded on the South by a road 20 feet wide separating it from land surveyed to Messrs. Sawyer and Menendez N282º -31’-25’ two hundred and eighty-two degrees thirty-one minutes, twenty-five seconds for a distance of (2604.49’) two thousand, six hundred and four and forty-nine hundreds of a foot and bounded on the West by the Ernest Dean Highway at 351º-00’-00” three hundred and fifty-one degrees zero minutes zero seconds for a distance of (1797.87’) one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven and eight-seven hundreds of a foot.

The Grand Children of James Henry Roberts Holdings Company Ltd. claims to be the owners of the unencumbered fee simple estate in possession of the said land and has made application to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas under Section Three (3) of the Quieting Titles Act, 1959 to have its title of the said land investigated and the nature and extent thereof determined and declared in a Certificate of Title to be granted by the Court in accordance with the provisions of the said Act. Copies of the Petition and the Plans of the said land may be inspected during normal office hours in the following places: 1.

2.

3.

The Registry of the Supreme Court, George Street in the City of Nassau, Bahamas; The Chambers of R. A. Farquharson & Co., Salem House, #14 Parliament Street Nassau, Bahamas.

The office of the Commissioner/ Administrator at Marsh Harbour and Sandy Point, Abaco, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that any person having dower or right to dower or an Adverse Claim or a claim not recognized in the Petition shall on or before the 31st day of July, A.D., 2017 file in the Supreme Court and serve on the Petitioner or the undersigned a Statement of his claim in the prescribed form verified by an Affidavit to be filed therewith.

Failure or any such person to filed and serve a Statement of his Claim on or before the 31st day of July, A.D., 2017 will operate as a bar to such claim.

Dated the 19th day of May, A.D., 2017 R. A. FARQUHARSON & Co. CHAMBERS SALEM HOUSE #14PARLIAMENT STREET NASSAU, BAHAMAS Attorneys for the Petitioner

SUPERCLUBS BREEZES pull-out, but I can’t simply pick up my hotel and move,” he added.

Mr Issa also stressed the need for the Bahamas to attract more airlift. “There needs to be more hotel development; hopefully on the Out Islands,” he said.

“From a sociological point of view there is too large a concentration of the population in the capital.

The hotel industry is far more important to the Bahamas today because the financial services industry is contracting. The hotel industry is vital, and virtually all government policy should be geared towards the growth of the hotel industry, which employs a larger number of persons per dollar invested than what an insurance company or a bank or other manufacturing industries do.”

SuperClubs’ land swap agreement with Baha Mar was set out in a 2011 Letter of Intent between the two resorts. This involved swapping a 0.66 acre parcel, upon which SuperClubs Breezes wastewater treatment plant stood, for land of the same size, upon which Baha Mar was to build a replacement plant at its expense.

The agreement also involved Baha Mar’s thengolf course-owning affiliate, BMP Golf, transferring another 2.27-acre parcel to SuperClubs Breezes. The latter also agreed to change the leasehold boundaries of its property, surrendering two areas and gaining an equivalent-size piece of land, to help Baha Mar. But Mr Issa, in legal documents filed in late 2014, alleged that SuperClubs Breezes had “lost control of

its own destiny”, as its new wastewater treatment plant - suffering from alleged design flaws and leaks - was being operated by Baha Mar on land that had not been transferred to the former’s ownership.

He added that the failure to effect the land swaps was holding up his resort’s expansion plans, investment and creation of more jobs for Bahamians, with Baha Mar already enjoying the benefits of using SuperClubs Breezes’ land - which sits at the heart of its casino.

Efforts to resolve the legal dispute were further complicated by Baha Mar’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing in June 2015, and the ongoing battle between the previous developer and his Chinese partners that has lasted for the better part of two years.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 11

How artistry can develop children From pg B2 Receiving constructive feedback about a performance or visual art piece is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning, and it is not something to be offended by or taken personally. It is something helpful.

The goal is the improvement of skills and evaluation, which is incorporated at every step of the process.

Each art discipline has to be built in parameters to ensure that critique is a valuable experience, and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.

Everyone has an imagination. However, art will take it a step further.

Through art, children create something that, until that point, was only imagined. Thus, they create visual manifestations of abstract ideas.

There is little doubt that parents can create an harmonious balance in their children’s lives when they

make provisions for the arts. Here are ideas to incorporate them into your home life: * When you read to your children, be dramatic. Act out stories. Encourage them to create their own stories to act out for you. * While the music is playing at home, dance together. Body movement is fun and good exercise. * Sing together, and teach your children your favourite songs. Many of them allow for verses that can be made up, with an endless and hilarious number of rhymes added to it. * Look for arts programmes after school, on weekends and during vacations. Summer camps based on the arts are a good start. * Create a scrapbook together. Put photos, memorabilia, drawings and captions together creatively. In doing so, you will not only have a shared experience but a memory that will last for many years.

Children who may be having difficulties in other parts of their school curriculum may find an expressive outlet through art.

It is a way to uncover talent that may not be seen otherwise, and remember that the most important ingredient in the recipe is actually your interest.

Be there to appreciate and encourage during every step of the creative process. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

• NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally trained graphic designer/marketing co-ordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY Career opportunities are available for ambitious career-oriented individuals at a mid size hotel. We are inviting experienced persons to apply for the following positions:

SECURITY OFFICER

Mr. Michael H. Wright Data Protection Commissioner

DATA BREACHES The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner wishes to draw the public’s attention to the following provisions contained within the Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act, 2003; Data Breaches Occurs when personal information held by an agency or organization is lost or subjected to unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure or other misuse.

Relevant Sections Sections 22 and 23 require the Data Processor or a person to obtain prior authority from the Data Controller to disclose their personal information Section 22 – Unauthorized Disclosure by Data Processor (1) ‘Personal data processed by a data processor shall not be disclosed by him, or by an employee or agent of his, without the prior authority of the data controller on behalf of whom the data are processed.’

Section 23 – Disclosure of Personal Data obtained without Authority (1)

A person who-

(a)

Obtains access to personal data, or obtains any information constituting such data, without the prior authority of the data controller or data processor by whom the data are kept; and

(b)

Discloses the data or information to another person, shall be guilty of an offence;…

Prime Responsibilities and Duties are:

Assist with any investigations involving guests and employees, prepare accurate reports and follow up action plans.

Ensure that any criminal activity does not hamper the smooth functioning of the hotel.

Assist with and ensure the accuracy of all industrial accident reports.

Take the lead on all incidents and emergencies.

Assist with the monitoring of camera system and scheduled patrolling of grounds.

Assist with the smooth and efficient running of the organization.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

Two or more years in the security or military (RBDF & RBPF) field.

Excellent leadership and communication skills.

The ability and interpersonal skills to relate with internal and external customers.

Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.

Must be computer literate with strong administrative skills.

Competitive salary and benefits package are commensurate with experience.

Interested persons should submit their resumes via e-mail to:

recruitment.humanresources@outlook.com

In this session, I will focus on “containment of the breach” so as to further ensure the significance of timeliness in acting upon any thought or perceived notion of a breach.

There are four key steps in responding to privacy breaches: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Contain the Breach Evaluate the Risks Notification Prevention

The first three steps should be undertaken immediately upon discovery of the breach or in very quick succession. The fourth step is undertaken once the causes of the breach are known, in an effort to find longer term solutions to the identified problem. In short, they represent best privacy practices for mitigating the harm arising from a privacy breach.

Contain – Immediately contain the breach by, for example , stopping the authorized practice, shutting down the system that was breached, revoking or changing computer access codes, sending a remote “kill” signal to a lost or stolen portable storage device, correcting weaknesses in physical security or conducting general search exercises for items stolen from a car or house.

Initial Investigation – Designate an appropriate individual to lead the initial investigation. Begin this process the day the breach is discovered.

This individual should have the authority within the public body or an organization to conduct the initial investigation and make initial recommendations. If necessary, a more detailed investigation may subsequently be required.

Privacy Officer & Other Internal Notifications – Immediately contact your Privacy Officer and the person responsible for security in your organization. Determine others who need to be made aware of the incident, internally at this stage. It is helpful to prepare in advance a list of all of the individuals who should be contacted along with current contact information.

Breach Response Team – Determine whether a breach response team must be assembled which could include representatives from appropriate business areas (labour relations, legal, communications, senior management). Representatives from privacy and security should always be included and generally the privacy team is responsible for coordinating the response to the incident.

Police – Notify the police if the breach involves theft or other criminal activity.

Preserve evidence – Do not compromise the ability to investigate the breach. Be careful not to destroy evidence that may be valuable in determining the cause, or, that will allow you to take appropriate corrective action.

For more information contact the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner Ground Floor, Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Center, West Bay Street P. O. Box N-3017, Nassau, N.P. Bahamas .

Tel; (242)702-1552/ 702-1548 . Fax: (242)327-7501 E-mail: dataprotection@bahamas.gov.bs www.bahamas.gov.bs/dataprotection www.facebook.com/dataprotection242 **This notice is intended to provide general information only.

It is not intended, nor can it be relied upon as legal advice.**

PAGE 12, Thursday, June 29, 2017

Receivers appointed for Tennyson’s assets From pg B1 control of, and protecting the assets, monies, securities and property - real and personal - wherever located [that is] beneficially owned”

by Wells & Wells, and Mr and Mrs Wells in their individual capacities.

The ‘Notice’, filed with the Registrar General’s Department, shows that the receivership Order - obtained on Oshi Enterprises’ petition - covers the Wells’ interests in 12 separate companies and real estate assets.

Among the companies affected are Source River Holdings, the company that acquired the former Bacardi plant in southern New Providence and developed The Source River water product, plus Caribbean Gas Storage & Terminal Ltd; Sanctuary Investments Ltd; Standard Trading (1976) Ltd; Bahamian Shipping Inc; Hills Investment; Suburban Estates; and Win Investments Ltd. Mr Wells is the lead developer in several prominent New Providence-based real estate projects, including Lyford Hills, South Seas and Yuma Estates, but he yesterday said the daily operations and management of these projects - togeth-

er with the Source River and the other companies would not be impacted by the receivership.

He emphasised that only his and his wife’s direct interests in these entities were covered by the receivership, which on April 5, 2017, was placed under the Supreme Court’s direct supervision. Mark Munnings, another Deloitte & Touche (Bahamas) accountant, was appointed to act as joint receiver with Mr Winder.

“Those companies have nothing to do with that,” Mr Wells told Tribune Business. “They [the receivers] can’t get anything out of them. Those companies are owned by other people. Myself and my wife have nothing in there. Nothing.

“Those companies are owned by different people.

Whatever assets me and Stephanie have they are looking at. We have given them exactly what we have a long time ago.”

Mr Wells said it was unlikely the receivers would earn any profits or dividends on his and his wife’s holdings, adding: “You think any dividends will come from those companies in this day and age; over the last five, 10,15 years. There’s nothing in them. They’ll be

$1.6m Matthew claim dispute heads to court From pg B1 rather than the value of the damage.

Both Timothy Ingraham, Summit’s president, and Insurance Management executives, declined to comment on Bolingbroke Ltd’s legal filings on the grounds that the case was now before the court.

However, Tribune Business understands that both companies vehemently deny Bolingbroke Ltd’s allegations, are are prepared to vigorously defend their position.

While not commenting on the specifics of the ‘Jacaranda’ matter, Mr Ingraham emphasised to Tribune Business: “We believe in being very fair to our clients. If they have a loss and have purchased protection, we’re not in the business of being unfair to them. We

want them to be clients for life.”

Insurance industry sources told Tribune Business that the deductible issue appeared to be the weakest part of Bolingbroke’s claim, but added that the case raised several issues that were worthy of the Supreme Court’s determination.

They said there was still uncertainty over how far brokers/agents had to go in ensuring clients understood the policy contract, while the issue of ‘tied’ carriers - where underwriters were partially or wholly-owned by agents - had been “a huge bone of contention over the years”.

“It’s quite an interesting case,” one source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. “As much as we don’t like litigation, the courts can set a precedent and clarify matters.

“It identifies one of the

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NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that HENRY CLAUDE LOUIDOR of 4th Street Coconut Grove, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd Day of June, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DIANIE LIMAGE-FRANCOIS of #3B Gordon Avenue, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd Day of June, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ROSA MARINA ANDERSON aka ROSE MARIA ANDERSON, ROSE MARINA GIBSON, MARINA R. GIBSON, MARINA R. CHARLTON and ROSE MARINA CHARLTON of Mermaid Boulevard, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to ROSE MARINA STUBBS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

THE TRIBUNE

waiting for years.”

Other assets covered by the receivership Order include Columbus House, home to the Wells & Wells law firm, which is located on the corner of East and Shirley Streets in downtown Nassau.

Also listed are the couple’s 10,000 shares in Bank of the Bahamas; 30 acres of land near Clarence Town, Long Island, and a house and lot in Blue Hill Estate.

Mr Winder, when contacted by Tribune Business yesterday, confirmed his and Mr Munnings’ appointment as receivers over the assets of Mr Wells and his wife.

“We have been appointed receivers, and have met with Mr Tennyson Wells,” he said. “We’re looking at reviewing the various entities as listed with a view to determining his interest in them.

“Once we’ve done that review, we will be in a better position to see what further steps are necessary to secure the assets [Oshi] is looking for.”

Mr Wells, meanwhile, said he and his wife were pursuing a ‘twin track’ approach - co-operation with the Supreme Court Orders and the receivers, while continuing their legal battle with Oshi Enterprises.

“We’re prepared to fight them right to the bitter end,” he told Tribune Busi-

ness. “Damian Gomez filed the notice to go to the Privy Council. We gave him instructions, and have never heard from him since.”

The Court of Appeal ruling that upheld Oshi Enterprises’ $2.57 million arbitration award against the couple, and their law firm, was made in December 2015 - more than 18 months ago. There has been no sign of the matter being listed for hearing before the Privy Council.

In the meantime, Mr Wells added: “We recognise there’s a court Order, and if it has reached that stage we will honour it. We told them what we’ll pay, and that they could continue with the court.

“We will pay what we can afford: Simple. We offered them what we could do, myself and my children. If they don’t take that, we’d pay it into court and pay them so much every month.”

The receivership Orders and appointment stems from Oshi Enterprises’ arbitration award against Wells & Wells due to a dispute over a $2.5 million ‘arrangement fee’.

The two sides had agreed that Wells & Wells would act as the ‘escrow agents’ for the fee via a June 8, 2000, deal that was part of a larger banking transaction.

However, Oshi Enterprises claimed that Wells & Wells breached their agree-

ment by “paying away” the arrangement fee and failing to return it. It also alleged that the latter failed to comply with other responsibilities relating to the banking deal.

Oshi Enterprises won its legal dispute with the Wells’s at every stage in Paris and the UK. The legal action then shifted to the Bahamas when Oshi Enterprises sought to enforce its award. Justice Stephen Isaacs, in an August 5, 2011, ruling backed the previous two verdicts and applied a 3 per cent interest rate to the award until it was paid.

Justice Isaacs’ ruling was not appealed, and was subsequently filed in the Supreme Court registry as a Judgment Order on July 24, 2013. It was served on Mr and Mrs Wells on August 30 that year, along with a Summons dated July 5, 2013.

Apart from executing the judgment, the Order also required Mr and Mrs Wells to provide Oshi Enterprises’ attorneys with a list of all their assets - even those held in trust for others - within seven days.

Mr Wells and his wife had argued that they had been improperly served with the judgment Order against them, and that the former attorney-general was “inactive” as a partner in the law firm.

But Appeal Justice Jon

Isaacs, in a ruling backed by his colleagues, found that Mr Wells could not escape liability for the actions of other partners simply because he was “inactive”.

Mr Wells’s attorneys also argued that it would have been illegal for him to remain a partner in the law firm because he was appointed to ministerial office during the first two Ingraham administrations.

The Court of Appeal, though, rejected this because the Bahamas Government Code of Ministerial Conduct allows ministers to retain their interests (equity holdings) in businesses - they are only prohibited from sharing in the profits, and must show they are ‘inactive’.

This blocked the argument by Mr Wells’s attorneys that the Wells & Wells partnership had to be dissolved under the Partnership Act’s section 35, because an illegal act had taken place.

Mr Wells, a former attorney general, resigned from the Ingraham Cabinet in 1999, and unsuccessfully mounted a bid for the FNM leadership in 2001. He was subsequently re-elected to the House of Assembly as an independent MP between 2002 and 2007.

Mr Wells then retired from front-line politics to focus on his business interests.

challenges we have with insurance contracts. Clients sign that they’re in receipt and understanding of the contract, but how far do you go in ensuring the person understands it from a legal perspective?”

The Bahamian insurance industry has evolved as an agent/broker driven market, with many of the local property and casualty underwriters created as vehicles for them to place business with.

Just as Insurance Management places much of its general insurance business with Summit, so does J. S. Johnson through Insurance Company of the Bahamas (ICB). RoyalStar Assurance is majority owned by Sunshine Holdings and Star General, both insurance agents/brokers, while Bahamas First has expanded through acquiring agencies.

Another industry contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ties and common ownerships between agents/brokers and underwriters created the perception of “conflict” as to whose interests were paramount - the client’s or the tied underwriter’s when a claim was made.

They suggested that other Caribbean countries had prohibited brokers/agents writing policies for underwriters where there were common shareholding interests in a bid to prevent ‘conflict of interest’ issues arising.

Tribune Business understands that Summit and Insurance Management view Bolingbroke/Jacaranda’s raising of this issue as “a red herring”, and part of a strategy to “throw the kitchen sink” at them in a

bid to force them into an unfavourable settlement.

Bolingbroke Ltd is alleging that it would “not have proposed for or subscribed to the policy terms” it ultimately took out had it known the common shareholdings and ties between Insurance Management and Summit.

It is claiming that Neil Cadman, an Insurance Management director, did not disclose these issues when advising Jacaranda to place its property insurance business with Summit.

“Mr Cadman did not disclose these fundamental and crucial facts that Mr Saunders is, and was, at all material times the sole shareholder of [Insurance Management, and] a principal shareholder of Summit,” Bolingbroke’s statement of claim alleges.

“Whilst the plaintiff had the option of placing their business with other insurers, they relied on Mr Cadman’s representations that Summit Insurance was the best choice for their insurance needs.”

Bolingbroke reiterated that had the links been disclosed, “it would probably not have entered into the policy or, at the very least, it would have caused the plaintiff to critically evaluate what was being offered and the terms of that offer”.

Tribune Business understands that Summit and Insurance Management believe Bolingbroke Ltd, and its principals, are being “difficult” and “unreasonable” over the Matthew claim despite their efforts to settle the matter.

This newspaper was told that the two insurance companies had offered to re-

solve the dispute over the construction/repair costs via arbitration, believing this was a cheaper and speedier mechanism for dispute resolution, only for Bolingbroke to reject this and head straight for the courts.

Mr Cadman and Nick Croan, an insurance adjuster, met Bolingbroke’s representatives, including architect Kevin Sweeting and Paul Fox, from Specialty Management Group (SMG), at Jacaranda some four days after Matthew’s passage to assess the damage.

“It was noted by Messrs Croan and Cadman that Jacaranda’s damage was, in their professional opinion, the worst they had ever seen,” Bolingbroke Ltd alleged. “The insured has never seen a copy of the report submitted by Mr Croan, but was left in no doubt that his view was that this was a serious and large claim.”

It then alleged that Summit, Insurance Management and their agents “failed to carry out a proper and thorough assessment” of Jacaranda’s damage, with assessments carried out midway through the property’s reconstruction.

Bolingbroke claimed that Veritas Consultants assessed Jacaranda when repairs were only 70-80 per cent complete, while the failure to provide it with SMG’s quotes and invoices made it “impossible for them to give a proper quote on the construction costs”.

It also alleged that DHP Associates, based at Sandyport, assessed Jacaranda’s construction and valuation mid-project, “but were never engaged to do a full and detailed analysis of the construction:.

Bolingbroke said itself and the two insurance companies eventually agreed to request a full construction cost analysis from DHP, but it had yet to see this.

It added that it had paid $1.61 million in hurricane reconstruction expenses todate from its own pocket, plus funded DHP’s report

due to claims of under-insurance, but had received nothing from Summit.

“It seems to the insured that the insurers are seeking to delay this process in order to continue searching for an excuse not to pay out on a justified claim,” Bolingbroke alleged.

“In the first instance, the insurer claimed that the property was underinsured.

When the insured disproved that allegation, at its own expense, which was accepted by the insurers, the insurer made the allegation that the construction costs were not accurate.

“The insured have complied with every respect made by the insurers, but have been meet with resistance and delay tactics at every stage of the process.

It is clear that the defendants are stalling in order to avoid paying the full and true amount due to the plaintiff under the policy.”

Summit and Insurance Management are understood to dispute the reconstruction costs. The two insurers believe they are being “very reasonable” in the payout sum being offered, but feel Jacaranda/ Bolingbroke are consistently increasing the claim value without any supporting evidence.

Both companies, together with the rest of the insurance industry, feel they cannot give in to excessive claims - not least because it would potentially suck money away from other Matthew-affected policyholders.

Summit and Insurance Management also feel the 10 per cent deductible, and its calculation as a percentage of the sum assured, was properly explained to Bolingbroke prior to it taking out the insurance contract - which had already been renewed once.

Project Manager/Site Supervisor The position is open to candidates with the following qualifications: Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related studies.

Minimum of 5 years professional experience.

Must have some project management experience.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and AutoCAD. PerSonal attributeS Must be able to lead in planning and implementation of projects Must be able to perform engineering duties Must be able to oversee construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities Must ensure that construction standards are met.

Must be a “problem solver” with an eye for detail Must have ability to identify priorities, meet deadlines in a timely manner Provide direction and support to project team Must possess good communication skills Must be able to multi-task.

All interested applicants should email to: apexpavers@gmail.com.