Contractor claims he is owed over $500,000

While investors may be satisfied with the work being done at the Buccament Bay Resort, at least one local contractor says that he is still awaiting payment, and is considering legal action.{{more}}

Dave Ames, the Chairman of Harlequin Hotels and Resorts, said last week in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT, that despite allegations being made about the project, investors have shown one hundred per cent confidence in what is taking place at the project on the country’s Leeward coast.

According to Ames, there are no problems his investors, adding that some of them have come visited the facility and are satisfied with what they have seen and experienced.

“The reason why they support us and love what we do, is because they come here and they see for themselves; and these people would go back and say how good this is….

“As we’re sitting here today, one of my investors with a party of about 12 people; they’ve had their wedding vows renewed here. They’ve been to Buccament Bay five times and they’re over the moon here.

“And I think what the local people don’t realize is how respected and how loved this resort is….”

Ames indicated that investment and expansion continue to take place at the resort, stating that over the past six months, fifty new villas have been built, along with a restaurant costing up to $29 million, and by the end of the year, the apartment complex, which is currently under construction, will be able to take bookings.

Meanwhile, one person contracted to work on the project, who claims that he is owed more than EC$500,000 for services provided to Harlequin, told SEARCHLIGHT that he has already instructed his lawyers to pursue court proceedings, if payments are not paid to his company in one week.

The contractor, who spoke to SEARCHLIGHT on the condition of anonymity, said that his team worked on the river and sea defence of the resort and also provided the hotel with fruits, vegetables and seafood, for which they have not been paid.

“I went to them and they promised to pay me. We have had discussions with them and did a lot of talking, but up to now, we have not received any payments.”

The contractor, who said that he began working with the developers in early 2011, pointed out that there are other contractors who have grievances against Harlequin, but are reluctant to speak out or to go to court.

According to the contractor, he is willing to give Harlequin an opportunity to make good on their contractural obligations, before taking the matter further.

“We are willing to give them a chance to pay, but if they don’t pay, we will have to go to court.

“I pray to God that the project continues and doesn’t go down the drain, because there are a lot of people who benefit from the work, but if things continue like this, it is going to fail,” he said.

Ames in a written statement provided to SEARCHLIGHT, said “… through the ongoing construction of further phases at the resort, which has been driven by local contractors, I have committed over EC$29,000,000 in the last six months alone.”

He also told SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday, that with more than 800 contractors and over 1,000 workers under these contractors, there would always be disputes about money.

“Yes, there will be the odd disagreement and problem, however, in six years I’ve paid everybody…. When you work on a big job there will always be money outstanding, but it gets paid,” Ames said. (JJ)