CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED over a planned million dollar wax figurine project earmarked for Pelican Village, The City.
The SATURDAY SUN understands that a contract has already been signed by the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC) with artist Arthur Edwards to produce a number of wax figurines of prominent personalities to be located at the Princess Alice Highway complex.
Chief executive officer at the BIDC, Basil Lavine, announced the project at a general staff meeting on Thursday.Edwards and the BIDC have reportedly entered into an agreement where he will be paid over $600 000, while the provision of a display facility, security and other ancillary necessities will cost over $400 000.
But the timing of the project is being questioned by critics who argue that with Government seeking to curb expenditure and wastage, it is nothing more than “melting money” in the present economic environment.
“Authorities can organise tours and take tourists to Pelican Village if they want to encourage more traffic there. But in these economic times, to spend over a million dollars to put wax figurines in a building at Pelican Village is an unnecessary waste of money,” a Government source said.
“Has the BIDC carried out a feasibility study? Have other options that are less costly to attract people to Pelican been explored? These are questions that have not been looked at, far less answered,” the source added.
When contacted about the project, Edwards said it was a “governmental process” and it would be inappropriate for him to speak on it before the BIDC board or the minister did.
Edwards said there were “sensitivities involved” and he would not be speaking on the project unless in the presence of the minister.When contacted Lavine confirmed that the BIDC was “looking at a project for the Pelican area”. He did not go into details, noting it was still under discussion and that he would get back to the SATURDAY SUN with further details. He did not do so up to press time.
