THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 14, 2016, PAGE 3
Arawak port back to 10 weekly calls By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Nassau Container Port yesterday said it was back to its regular 10 weekly cargo vessel calls, after Hurricane Matthew restricted the prior week to just 20 per cent of normal volume. Michael Maura, chief executive of Arawak Port Development Company (APD), the port’s operator, told Tribune Business that it received just solitary calls from Tropical Shipping and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) vessels prior to Matthew’s arrival. “Ordinarily, we have approximately 10 calls per week,” he told Tribune Business. “Due to Matthew we missed two MSC calls, two Tropical calls, one Abaco Shipping call, one MailBoat Company call, and two Betty K calls.” Mr Maura, though, said that today’s projected visits by Tropical Shipping and MailBoat Company vessels would take the Nassau Container Port back to its regular 10 cargo vessel vis-
Just 20% of normal visits in Matthew week
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‘Essential service’ restored quickly post-storm Had to operate manually until Tuesday, due to IT wait its per week. He added that APD was open and operational last Sunday, so that Bahamian food stores could receive much-needed perishable goods from the MSC, Tropical and Mailboat vessels that were first to dock in Nassau following the storm. “The ships have available capacity so there is no issue with cargo volumes,” Mr Maura said. “We were quick to receive vessels after the storm. “Following Hurricane Matthew, we recognised that the port is an essential service, and we were out conducting the damage
Nassau Container Port assessments on Thursday evening, continuing into Friday, at Arawak Cay and the Gladstone Freight Terminal.” Mr Maura said that both the Arawak Cay port itself and the inland freight terminal sustained minor damage from Matthew. The former lost the metal panelling on the gates where trucks enter and exit, and two containers were blown over in the Category Three winds. “The next big impact to us was on the IT front,” Mr Maura told Tribune Business. “We rely on IT ser-
vices from Cable Bahamas, and only got completely back up from an IT perspective on Tuesday morning. We had been operating on a manual basis up until then.” Mr Maura said ships calling at the Nassau Container Port this week have been carrying a higher cargo volume than normal, with their sailings indicating that Florida’s ports - especially Miami and Jacksonville - were fully operational following Matthew’s passage. “We only utilise one shift at the port, which gives us
an opportunity to add another shift if we have to, and volumes warrant it,” he told Tribune Business. “We can easily handle the volumes coming into the Nassau Container Port, and we could easily double our business if we needed.” Mr Maura said APD had also ensured office space at the Nassau Container Port had been made available to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while the Royal Bahamas Defence Force had also been offered use of facilities there.
Consumer Commission blasts price gouging as ‘shameful, ungodly’
and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chairman, indicated the private sector organisation had received no specific complaints about merchants exploiting postMatthew demand and supply shortages to hike prices. However, he urged all in the private sector to behave with “integrity and morality”, warning that any attempts at exploitation would cost businesses customers for life. “The last thing we said is that businesses have to act with integrity,” Mr Bowe told Tribune Business of the Chamber’s position. E J Bowe, the Price Control Commission’s chairman, told Tribune Business that its inspectors had been probing complaints received from consumers.
The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) is warning the private sector not to take unfair advantage of consumers following the devastation by Hurricane Matthew. It said in a statement: “Due to the many reports/ rumours of price gouging, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) cautions businesses not to take unfair advantage of consumers following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Matthew. “The CPC appeals to all businesses, particular those
in the food, ice, water, hardware and lumber sectors, to maintain their current prices for these and other items, and to be mindful of the fact that in this tough economy, Bahamians are already struggling to make every dollar count. “We wish to bring to these businesses’ attention that any unfair price increases, at such a time of crisis, hurts a wide crosssection of persons, primarily the poor, single parents and the elderly. Therefore, we encourage a spirit of fair play and social responsibil-
ity during this stressful and trying time.” The CPC warned that should reports of price gouging be proven, it would “take whatever action available” under its Act, alert the Government and bring the “full brunt of the law” to bear upon businesses and/or persons engaging in price gouging. “Taking advantage of consumers when they are down and out is indeed a most shameful, ungodly act,” said the CPC. Its statement came after the Democratic National
BTC works ‘feverishly’ on network restoration The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) said yesterday that it continues to work “feverishly” towards 100 per cent network restoration following Hurricane Matthew. In a statement released yesterday, Leon Williams, its chief executive, said: “This is the second time in 12 months that we are working to restore services as a result of a natural disaster. “However, continued upgrades and advancements mitigated against the potentially catastrophic impact that we could have received. Our teams have been fully mobilised since Friday and we are committed to restoring services to every customer as soon as possible.” He added: “We are pleased with the performance of the network during the storm. Since the last storm, we focused our efforts on building not just a network that covers every island, rock and cay, but we wanted a more resilient network”. BTC’s statement said: “Since the storm, BTC can report the mobile networks in Acklins, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Ragged Island and Rum Cay are at 100 per cent performance levels. “While BTC was able to provide customers with service through the storm in all islands, post the storm, efforts are focused on optimising the networks in islands like New Providence, Exuma, Abaco and Long Island. “BTC can report that since its last update, basic mobile and fixed-line services have been restored in North Andros. As a result of the repairs to the Nicholls Town site that was damaged in the storm, customers in Lowe Sound can use their mobile phones to make contact with their loved ones. “The BTC cell sites in the Berry Islands also received massive damage during the
BTC CEO LEON WILLIAMS
storm. However, as of this morning, we were able to restore services in Bullocks Harbour. Due to the extent of the damages, in Chub Cay and Stirrup Cay, parts had to be sourced and
New PI resort: Matthew could ‘not have come at a worse time’
shipped. The BTC first responder teams are on island and will be working vigorously through the weekend to restore services,” the statement continued.
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Alliance’s (DNA) leader earlier this week urged the Government to enact antiprice gouging laws “with teeth” to protect Bahamian against unscrupulous merchants in Hurricane Matthew’s wake. Branville McCartney told Tribune Business he had heard of some businesses charging “three times’” the normal price for essential supplies post-Matthew, although he did not name the companies or products involved. Gowon Bowe, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce
race remained unscathed. “We had no broken glass or injuries, which we are grateful for. We are now prepared to open by the end of October and assess the decision and situation daily as works are completed. We will be sending out a press release for a special targeted opening to the Bahamian residents.” Mr Leblanc said that due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew, not all four restaurants at the 244-room, adults-only, all-inclusive resort will be open simultaneously during the remainder of 2016. “Due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew, not all four of our restaurants will be open simultaneously at all times during the remainder of 2016,” he explained. “We will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, along with snacks and our full menu from Chickcharnies every day. All other services and facilities of the Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas are available with the exception of the previously announced spa that will open later in the fall, along with the seaside terrace restaurant.” The resort, in a notice on its website, said: “Due to damages caused by Hurricane Matthew, Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas has been forced to interrupt the soft opening until a later date to be announced shortly. “Reservations may be made as of today from 18 November, 2016, onward with availability updated as soon as confirmed dates are available for repairs.” Warwick International Hotels and Resorts purchased the former Paradise Island Harbour Resort in 2012 via a reported $6.8 million deal from Lehman Brothers Holdings and Driftwood Hospitality Management (via Gemwood Paradise Ltd), during an auction.