‘Disgruntled’ tourists seeking BPL refunds

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

SOME Family Island resorts are reporting that “disgruntled clients” are demanding refunds due to the frequent Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) outages that are disrupting their experience of The Bahamas.

Arnette, the owner of Acklins Creekside Bonefish Lodge, said the property and its guests had to endure the equivalent of five full days without any power during June and July. The lodge does not possess stand-by generators able to power the whole resort, instead possessing smaller engines capable of only powering the three-foot freezer and a fridge.

Pointing to multiple power outages lasting as long as five hours, and occurring three times per week on average, the Acklins Creekside Bonefish Lodge has also suffered surges - once BPL supply is restored - that have knocked out three 32-inch TVs as well as surveillance cameras and computers, as well as a 15 pound ice machine.

“Clients left disgruntled requesting refunds, although weather conditions were extremely poor,”

Arnette wrote. “Operating the little generator costs a minimum $500 weekly.” The loss of BPL power, she added, meant that some food supplies went bad.

Other Family Island resorts reported similar difficulties and challenges due to BPL’s inconsistent electricity supply. Yvonne Rolle, owner/operator of Rollez Villas, Cat Island, told Tribune Business that the consistent outages have rendered her resort uncomfortable for guests.

She said: “The power keeps going in and out, but thankfully no guests have cancelled. But they have been complaining about the lack of Internet service because of the power cuts. They keep asking when will the Internet come back on? We have tried our best to keep things bearable and hospitable, and make up for shortages in that area.”

Shirley Rolle, owner/ operator of Pine Island Resort, North Andros, said electricity supply has been stable for the past week after replacement generation capacity was installed following the fire that destroyed the area’s power plant. “When it was off it cost me a few guests, but it gave me time to do some maintenance to my place,” she added.

Jeff Birch, general manager of the Small Hope Bay Lodge in North Andros, said that because his location has been receiving power from BPL’s Central Andros Fresh Creek station the resort as endured little disruption.

He said: “I think that they determined that the central area surrounding the Fresh Creek station is on regardless of where they’re sharing the power. In other words, whether they shut off the south or the north, the surrounding area of Fresh Creek, Calabash Bay and Love Hill, they seem to not be on the same schedule of sharing power. So we haven’t had to have the same burden that I think some of my brothers and sisters have had.”

Cheryl Bastian, owner/ operator of Swain’s Cay Lodge, Mangrove Cay, added: “We have our standard power cuts once or twice a week, but that’s no