The Big Story

"I'm doing this to create change" ORG: Wealth of candidates not a clear determination of their worth NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite declaring himself one of the lowest-net-worth candidates of the 227 who were nominated for office in the upcoming General Election, Garden Hills independent candidate Kareem Hanchell said he believes good governance is about more than the money representatives have....

Jamaica, U.S., U.K made provisions for COVID-exposed to vote in electionsNASSAU, BAHAMAS  — With less than 15 days till the 2021 General Elections and an ongoing increase in new COVID-19 infections, the government should do everything it can to facilitate access to voting for all eligible individuals, Organization for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director Matt Aubry said yesterday. Aubry's comments...

“I will tell you what we’re not going to do — ask poor and middle-class Bahamians to pay more in taxes” Opposition leader says economy cannot begin to recover until health crisis is under controlNASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis last night pledged that if elected, his administration would not ask for more taxes from...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country's external reserves grew to $2.6 billion in July supported by foreign currency inflows through the private sector and further proceeds from the government’s external borrowings, according to data released by the Central Bank. According to the regulator's monthly economic and financial development report for July, external reserves grew by $36.7 million to $2,612.8 million during...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commonwealth Brewery has reported a "dramatic" increase of nearly 64 percent in its net revenue for its 2021 second quarter compared to the same period in 2020. The BISX-listed brewer, in its unaudited financial statements for the six months ended June 2021, noted: "This increase was expected as the country continues its slow return to normalcy, inclusive...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Garden Hills constituency is setting up to be one of the most contested seats in the 2021 General Election with a total of nine candidates vying for the seat. With incumbent Brensil Rolle, the current minister for the public service and national insurance, not offering himself as a candidate this round, none of the candidates offering...

Memo: Any employee that breaks quarantine will be fired NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Describing the number of COVID-19 related deaths and infections in the country as "scary and frightening", Super Value's principal Rupert Robert confirmed to Eyewitness News that the food store chain is hoping to have its 1,000 employees vaccinated by the end of September. In an interview with Eyewitness...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several incumbents seeking reelection have seen marked increases in their net worth since they declared for the first time in the 2017 General Election, according to financial disclosures submitted on Nomination Day. On Friday, some 227 candidates nominated themselves in 39 constituencies for the September 16 general election, All individuals who sought nomination had to deliver a declaration of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis yesterday reiterated his party's pledge to remove the emergency powers orders, establish free antigen testing and bring an end to the travel visa, insisting the current scheme was more about making money than public health. Davis underscored the COVID-19 crisis' toll on the country's strained healthcare system and Bahamian livelihoods during...

Munroe: AG, police commissioner and prime minister all have "a duty to act" in this matter NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party's (PLP) Freetown candidate and well-known Queen's Counsel Wayne Munroe said yesterday that Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson's response to allegations of involvement in WSC contract awards was "inadequate". Munroe asserted that Prime Minister...

"BPL, under its existing policies, had a very difficult time providing electricity services" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) executives said yesterday the company has developed an indemnity agreement that will allow landowners who may not have clear ownership of or titles to their properties the ability to have electricity provided to them. According to BPL Chairman Dr...

Shadow minister of finance says govt's accounting for outstanding arrears "highly questionable" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Deputy Leader Chester Cooper yesterday slammed the government's Pre-Election Economic & Fiscal Update report, arguing that it is in breach of the law as it contains no information on contracts entered into by the government since the passage of the annual...

“Let’s get it right so the children of our nation can receive the quality education they are worthy of” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Citing numerous challenges with the government’s virtual learning platform, Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson yesterday urged Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd to cut the rhetoric and provide a viable solution. The 2021/2022 academic year began...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is investing $100 million over the next 18 months to carry out significant upgrades to the core of the country’s health infrastructure, according to the Pre-Election Fiscal & Economic Update. The report noted: “The government recognizes the need to upgrade the nation’s health infrastructure, to ensure that current capacity challenges such as limited bed space...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Kingdom Government Movement (KGM) Leader Dr Kevin King has declared a net worth of $53,129,820 to become the richest candidate vying for election on September 16. After King, incumbent Freetown candidate and Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar is the wealthiest incumbent with a total net worth of $37,951,803 — more than double the net worth of the leaders...

More than 13,000 vaccinated last week, says PM Minnis NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Health reclassified 26 COVID-19 deaths that were previously under investigation that occurred on Grand Bahama over a five-month period. In the latest COVID-19 update for Saturday, health officials confirmed that those deaths occurred between April 16 and August 24, taking the number of confirmed deaths...

Wells acknowledges "potential" for COVID outbreaks where events had "breakdown in protocols" but says govt can manage PSA concerned about election/campaign gatherings amidst virus surge NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite the gathering of hundreds of politicians and political party supporters on Nomination Day on Friday, Health Minister Renward Wells said there is no concern the day could be a superspreader event....

Minnis bashes PLP leader “A lousy MP would end up to be a lousy prime minister” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said if reelected, a Minnis-led government would end the COVID-19 emergency orders in November and implement a “bold” economic vision for the country. Cars parked at the Free National Movement's drive-in rally on New Providence on...