Why don’t some authorities get it, Canutists all. You know, he who believed he could roll back the tide on the seashore.
Why do they allow running sores to fester, year after year, month after month?
Do they think that people just forget, ostriches in abundant sand?
That potential investors don’t do due diligence checks of financial and legal solidity, despite glowing “expressions of interest,” in visionary projects?
Look at the mess that Marina West has become, over many years of protests and promises of a fix.
Last week, once again, an aggrieved GDN reader, and importantly, a investor in the whole Marina West, likened and the whole investment climate as being part of a Ponzi scheme.
Aggrieved and angered because the land titles office and the municipality, have now agreed to the purchase of part of the Marina West land, to accommodate a neighbouring resort!
Lots of questions; as yet, no answers!
Developers who merely skim money provided by investors and use it for their next speculative venture, leaving investors in the lurch.
Doing so, is a virtual red light to any investment in similar off the plan ventures.
The reader contended that the authorities had simply washed their hands, if you excuse the oxymoron, as untouchable.
Any real attempt to resolve the issue is simply regarded as “too hard” and the reader suggested that criminal action should be taken against the so-called “developer”.
The reader contends, it is a slur on Bahrain’s claim to be a “safe haven for investment”
The handling, if that be the word, of the Marina West project, sends all the wrong signals.
Then there is the ongoing Zachariades Civil Engineering and Construction, which has been going on for nearly a year.
And a continual “blame game;” the company alleging they’ve met costs, blaming the government for not meeting its debts for construction work done.
Why indeed so many contracts, have been let to one company, possibly as an “economy of scale,” is possibly, open to question, as the costs of carrying the debt, keep mounting.
Under obvious pressure from continual protest marches by disgruntled staff, who haven’t been paid, the ministry shelled out some funds.
While that was welcomed, many of the protesters say the company has paid the funds to its senior managers, but not to the impoverished construction workers themselves.
The last march was accompanied by the riot police, also barriers to prevent workers marching down the highway.
Some 80 workers, content that they have not been paid any wages for six months. One marcher said he is now prepared to die than accept more inaction.
In the heat, protesters waited two hours outside the ministry, seeking a response.
Little came, gutless officials yet again.
No monies transferred to families at home.
Over 100 workers for the same company allege they’ve not been paid since mid-2016!
What an indictment.
No solutions, sores keep weeping.
Bahrain’s image, is the loser too.
wpeppinck@hotmail.com