Nassau: The Bahamas:  The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Michael Pintard has informed vendors of Arawak Cay that effective immediately, the management of Arawak Cay has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture from Lands and Surveys in the Office of the Prime Minister.

A meeting was held with Arawak Cay vendors at the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday evening.  Minister Pintard told the vendors that the government was looking forward to working closely with them to deal with their issues and the concerns of the government.

SURVEY OF ARAWAK CAY

The Minister announced that a survey will be completed on the perimeter of Arawak Cay; that each store will be surveyed for its correct footprint; that lease agreements will be reviewed and updated; that the practice of sub-leasing will be stopped and that all outstanding arrears must be brought current on a case by case basis.

The first item on the agenda under this new arrangement will be the completion of a survey of the perimeter of Arawak Cay for legal purposes, to accommodate some of the developments that are planned around the Cay

MEASUREMENT OF EACH STORE

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is bringing in a Surveyor to survey each store, to be clear on the footprint of each store and to ensure that rent is paid on the footprint that has changed over time.”

SUB-LEASING TO COME TO AN END

Recognizing that there are some stores on Arawak Cay with issues of arrears, Minister Pintard said accounts must be brought current on a case by case basis because there is a wide difference between stalls. The Minister stated that all arrangement with lease holders will be formalized and the process of sub-leasing will come to an end in the most sensitive and forthright way. “Meetings will be held with each lease holder to ensure that the highest standards are maintained as we work to identify challenges and to solve them in an amicable and peaceful way”, the Minister said.

Minister Pintard said he was looking forward to a very fruitful and cordial relationship with the vendors as he has implored the professionals at the Ministry of Agriculture to deal with the vendors with respect and decency as they continue to develop the premiere spot for Bahamians and visitors to enjoy a wonderful Bahamian cuisine.

Minister Pintard noted that the vendors at Arawak Cay “play a pivotal role” in creating employment and the goal of the ministry is to ensure they are successful.  The Minister also ensured the vendors that the Ministry is working on their behalf to ensure that they are successful.

The Minister emphasized that the plan is to facilitate the success of Arawak Cay businesses and to make sure that the public is happy with the products they offer. He said many of the vendors have been working for many years, and he thanked them for the work they have done to create a space that the government had to run to catch up with and to put in place regulations to make sure it succeeds.