President of the Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) Leonard Sands on Sunday resigned his post effective immediately.
The former head of the association also announced his resignation as a member of the Free National Movement (FNM).
In a statement yesterday, Sands said, the BCA had made efforts to bring the passage of the Construction Contractors Act but, the act has still not been brought into force.
He further stated that requests have been made by the BCA dating back to December 2017 but, have not been acknowledged or answered by the minister responsible.
Sands also said in his statement that the government’s decision to appoint a Contractors Registrar, with no prior experience in the construction industry, has further complicated matters as the industry braces itself for the impact of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Omar Archer was recently appointed to the post.
According to Sands, his role as president of the BCA is not in line with the wishes of those in political leadership and, if he were to remain as president, there would be repercussions faced by members of the BCA. Sands said that he cannot allow that.
However, Sands said, the alleged attempt to silence his voice will not silence those of the BCA.
“The BCA has always, and will always fight for the rights of Bahamian Contractors,” wrote Sands.
“To ensure that they are offered an equal opportunity to have access to work in their own country.”
He also thanked the members of his executive board for their support of his leadership. He said that although the decision was not one that they may have wanted, it is one that they must comply with for the survival of the BCA.
Sands added that he and the FNM no longer share the same views.
“The political party of which I was once a candidate believed in freedom of speech, and the right of individuals to express their views,” wrote Sands.
“Even if those views are opposing to the to the powers that be.”
He said he had no other option but to tender his resignation from the now governing party.
“For democracy to function, there should always be opposing voices and the right for those voices to be heard.”
Sands ended the statement extending his continued support for the BCA and the diligent work it does for all contractors in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
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This article was written by GINELLE LONGLEY, Eyewitness News intern.
