North Andros Local contractors have threatened to block the construction of a 36-mile stretch of main road in North Andros if it is undertaken by a New Providence firm.<\/P><\/p>\n
Claiming that they have been overlooked, the contractors yesterday affirmed that the necessary equipment and expertise for the job is present on the island.<\/P><\/p>\n
The contract, which is reportedly worth $6 million, seems to be the subject of some confusion – as Andros sources insist that it has been awarded to New Providence contractor Junior Bethel, but Minister of Works Bradley Roberts said the job has not even gone to tender yet.<\/P><\/p>\n
When The Tribune spoke with Mr Bethel about the matter yesterday afternoon, he said the Androsians “know more than I do” about the status of the contract.<\/P><\/p>\n
Asked to respond to the claim that local firms should be – awarded the contract, Mr Bethel said: “They can’t handle it.”<\/P><\/p>\n
He claimed that another ministry awarded a contract to a local firm on Andros several weeks ago, but the project has yet to get started.<\/P><\/p>\n
“You want what will work for your money,” Mr Bethel said. \uffa0The contractors say this is not the first contract that has caused them frustration.<\/P><\/p>\n
Last month, they reportedly blocked the tractors of New Providence contractor Bill Simmons, who was awarded the job of creating a road for a community development near San Andros.<\/P><\/p>\n
The confrontation reportedly escalated to the point where the contractors threatened to set some of the heavy-duty equipment that had been shipped to Andros on fire.<\/P><\/p>\n
Only after a protracted standoff was the contract reconsidered and tendered to locals – who argued that they already \uffa0had the necessary equipment and expertise on the island to do the work.<\/P><\/p>\n
While some contractors admit that they are overloaded with work at the moment, a general sense emerges when talking to locals – especially in North Andros – that Androsians think they are being left behind when it comes to large-scale development.<\/P><\/p>\n
By: Paul Turnquest
\nA Tribune Exclusive Report<\/SMALL><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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