The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Immigration Elsworth Johnson yesterday lamented Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis’ treatment of several senior and legacy Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) members, including Mangrove Cay and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, whom he referred to as “big man”, and former Prime Minister Perry Christie. Johnson made the statement during the mid-year budget debate. Forbes, who was...

“They just keep kicking the can down the road and use COVID as an excuse” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Taxi drivers staged another demonstration yesterday as they called on the government to bring resolution to long-standing issues plaguing the sector. Bahamas Taxicab Union President Wesley Ferguson told reporters during a demonstration outside of Parliament: “The issues are still the same. For...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has the highest on-time filing rates for value-added tax (VAT) in the region, a new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study laying out key fiscal and financial reforms has revealed. In the book entitled “Economic Institutions for a Resilient Caribbean”, it was noted that in order to build resilience against external shocks and recover from the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) represents a “major step” towards strengthening this nation’s fiscal framework, it could benefit from some improvements, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study has found. Commenting on the country’s FRA in a book entitled “Economic Institutions for a Resilient Caribbean”, Teresa Ter-Minassian, a senior IDB consultant, noted: “The FRA undoubtedly represents a...

Only woman in Cabinet assures she will be the voice of women NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Newly-appointed Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe told the media today she feels confident about making an impact even with little time left before the next general election. The next general election must be held by 2022, although there has...

Christie suggests tourists should be vaccinated too; says it is of “paramount interest” to the country NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Perry Christie said he does intend to take the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available in The Bahamas. He joins the country's remaining prime ministers — current Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday downplayed the prime minister’s suggestion that he would serve as “co-prime minister” if the Minnis administration is given a second term. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said if the Free National Movement (FNM) is successful in being re-elected to office, he and Bannister would “split” the leadership of the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was discharged from Doctor’s Hospital yesterday after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) last week Tuesday with the coronavirus. Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands, who has acted as spokesperson for Ingraham, said: “He is well enough to be discharged. He has been discharged. He is recovered to the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While some residents of at least three unregulated communities, otherwise known as shantytowns, expressed an eagerness yesterday to participate in the government’s land ownership program, others labeled the initiative a political tool for votes. Silvane Honorat, 64, a permanent resident of more than two decades, said he intends to apply to become naturalized following Prime Minister Dr...

Minister of works promises Andros projects will be completed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday supported the decision of Mangrove Cay and South And Central Andros MP Picewell Forbes, who will not be seeking reelection in the upcoming general election. Forbes announced in Parliament on Monday that he would not be running for office and intends to quit...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday acknowledged there will be “ebbs and flows” in the hotel sector as it continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic, suggesting that the industry would see a rebound by year’s end. D’Aguilar, while addressing reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, said: “There are going to be ebbs and flows...

Bowe: Don’t reward delinquency Financial secretary insists govt has been trying to collect arrears NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A leading accountant cautioned against the possible “moral hazard” of effectively rewarding delinquent taxpayers through real property tax amnesty programs. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in Parliament that the government is providing Bahamian property owners with up to a 50...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While “difficult”, the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama to Royal Caribbean and the ITM Group is on the “home stretch”, according to Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar, who said the pandemic has made for “extremely challenging times”. “We’re obviously on the home stretch to concluding an agreement,” D’Aguilar told Eyewitness News. “Obviously, these...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis underscored Bahamians of Haitian descent living in unregulated communities are entitled to Crown Land opportunities as he foreshadowed an expansion of the government’s land program. Speaking directly to that community, Minnis urged Bahamians of Haitian descent in the country not to refer to themselves as “Haitian-Bahamian” but simply Bahamians as they are...

Five incumbents, excluding PM, awaiting renomination NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes, who is among the last of the Free National Movement (FNM) incumbents yet to receive a renomination, said he will let the process “run its full course”. “The party has a process and I don’t preempt the party’s process and make comments about a process that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank has confirmed that three additional financial institutions have been authorized to distribute the Sand Dollar and have earned the designation of authorized financial institution (AFI). According to the financial services regulator, Bank of The Bahamas and the Teachers and Salaried Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union are the first clearing bank and credit union authorized to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said today that despite the impact of the pandemic on global tourism and travel, this nation continues to see strong gains in the very high-end tourism segment. Speaking with reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting, D’Aguilar said: “In the very high-end niche market, the private aviation and yacht business are doing very well....

Weather expert Basil Dean urges Bahamians to start preparing for hurricanes earlier NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A trend of tropical cyclones appearing earlier and earlier has led the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to consider moving the start of the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season from June 1 to May 15. Ahead of its 43rd Hurricane Committee meeting, the WMO published a document...