Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said the government and Baha Mar may be forced to bring in an arbitrator if they fail to reach an agreement regarding the amount of money the government will pay the developer for road works associated with the resort.
Davis, who is also the minister of works and urban development, told The Nassau Guardian the government is trying to resolve the matter before it gets to that level.
“We’re discussing and negotiating the numbers between ourselves and if we’re unable to agree between ourselves, we will appoint an arbitrator to determine the numbers for us. So we’re not haggling, we’re just negotiating,” he said.
“And hopefully, we’ll be able to agree between ourselves. If that can’t happen then we’ll take the next step. And we’re hoping to complete this exercise in the next three weeks.”
The government is obligated to pay Baha Mar to cover a portion of the costs associated with the road works.
Davis did not reveal the amount that either side is asking for.
“There are some hurdles, but I won’t identify them since we are negotiating in good faith and we don’t like to negotiate in the public.”
Davis has met with Baha Mar officials on several occasions to discuss the matter.
The government initially agreed it would pay Baha Mar just under $48 million to help cover the cost of the new West Bay Street that runs along the resort’s campus.
