NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) is escalating its push for the long-delayed appointment of the Construction Contractors Board, having launched a national petition as frustration grows over continued delays.
Leonard Sands, president of the BCA, said the association is now seeking 200,000 signatures this month, which it intends to present publicly to demonstrate broad support for the appointment of the board under the Construction Contractors Act.
“We are now involving the public,” Sands said. “We are seeking 200,000 signatures this month and will show the media how many people support this board appointment.”
The move follows what Sands previously described as a “positive and productive” meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis last August during which the Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of activating the Contractors Board and committed to appointing its members.
The Construction Contractors Act was passed in 2016 but remains only partially implemented due to the absence of the Contractors Board, which is responsible for licensing, certifying, and regulating contractors based on their qualifications and scope of work. Industry stakeholders have long argued that the delay has undermined accountability, quality control, and consumer protection within the construction sector.
According to the petition being circulated, residents and stakeholders are urging the immediate appointment of the board, calling it a critical step toward a properly regulated industry built on professionalism, quality, and safety. The petition emphasizes that a functioning board is essential for overseeing contractor licensing, implementing standardized standards, improving construction quality, and protecting consumers from substandard practices and safety risks.
With the petition drive now underway, the BCA says it hopes public support will add urgency to the process and finally bring the Contractors Board into force nearly a decade after the legislation was passed.
