The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Minnis administration has eliminated nearly 80 percent of the $360 million in arrears it inherited when it assumed office in 2017, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. During his mid-year budget statement for the six months ending December 2020, Minnis noted: “The government continued its commitment to reduce the $360 million in arrears it inherited...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Although he will no longer serve as Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, Iram Lewis said yesterday he is extremely confident the ministry will be left in good hands. Lewis will now fill the post of minister of youth, sports and culture after Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle resigned on Tuesday. A statement from the Cabinet Office...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Richette Ross, a former employee of Canadian fashion mogul and Lyford Cay estate owner Peter Nygard, said yesterday she and the over 100 women who filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the billionaire raped, abused and paid off many of them, are more than “Jane Does” and more than the “sexual injustice” they allegedly suffered. Nygard was indicted...

Govt has to raise taxes, curb expenditure or “seriously grow the economy” to cover revenue shortfall, notes finance expert NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A top banker yesterday cautioned against “mortgaging” this nation’s future amid significant borrowing and increases in government expenditure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. During his mid-year budget statement yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis noted the year-over-year...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government yesterday took another step toward acquiring Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA), with one tourism stakeholder expressing optimism over the potential impact on the island and its tourism segment. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard yesterday tabled a bill for an act to amend the Airport Authority Act “to provide for the acquisition, operation...

Bannister: Not everyone will survive the full five-year term Johnson: Resignations are "sometimes necessary" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several Cabinet ministers defended the Minnis administration and its stability following the resignation of Lanisha Rolle as minister of youth, sports and culture yesterday. Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd. Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd told reporters he has no concerns about the Free National...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) today called the prime minister’s presentation of the mid-year budget a “bleak picture” of the country’s current economic status. During the budget statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis assured that despite the twin economic catastrophes of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bahamian dollar remains “as strong as it...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis assured that despite the twin economic catastrophes of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bahamian dollar remains “as strong as it has ever been”. Minnis, who today presented in Parliament the mid-year budget statement for the six months ending December 30, 2020, acknowledged the pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on...

Bastian claims it’s “ordinary” and had been planned before Rolle resigned NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Auditor General is currently reviewing the expenses of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Sports Authority (NSA). In an interview with Eyewitness News yesterday, Auditor General Terrance Bastian confirmed the audit will be reviewing expenditure and relevant contracts...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes said he will take Oxford’s AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in The Bahamas, and encouraged Bahamians to follow suit. When asked if he planned to take the vaccine, which is expected to arrive in-country by the end of the week, Foulkes told Eyewitness News: “Yes, absolutely. “Once we get...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) are calling on Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to clarify the reason Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle has resigned from her Cabinet position. The Cabinet Office confirmed the prime minister’s acceptance of Rolle’s resignation as minister of youth, sports and culture, indicating certain matters brought to his attention...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Not since the release of the 1984 Royal Commission Report have there been so many resignations from Cabinet under one administration, according to a University of The Bahamas (UB) history professor. Dr Chris Curry, associate professor of history at UB, told Eyewitness News the developments are “not a good look” for the Minnis administration. “The last time...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell has suggested the prime minister is using the coronavirus emergency orders to impede political campaigns as we get closer to the upcoming general election. Mitchell pointed to reports that a recent political motorcade was reportedly granted permission to take place in South Andros. “The PLP is not allowed a similar...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The fate of hundreds of school leavers in a sluggish economy still being impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic is a “major concern”, Labour Director John Pinder acknowledged yesterday. Pinder noted: “It is a major concern. We know we have an unemployment rate high due to Dorian and pandemic. Director of Labour John Pinder. “There are students...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Association of The Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president said yesterday it was “disconcerting” that the industry’s own online portal for collecting boating fees has apparently been pushed aside for one newly launched by the Customs Department. Customs yesterday announced its own electronic submission portal for cruising permit applications. Peter Maury told Eyewitness News: “At this point, we’re not...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While acknowledging the high level of frustration among the Bahamian people, Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson said they have not laid the blame at the feet of the Minnis administration. “I think we’re looking very good,” Johnson said before heading into the weekly Cabinet meeting today. “Obviously, the frustration index is...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister expressed confidence today that the electorate recognizes the leadership it has with the Minnis administration and Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Speaking to the media outside of the Churchill Building, Bannister opined the Bahamian people will judge the Free National Movement (FNM) on “what we have done”. He underscored the challenges...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Department of Immigration advised today that 64 Haitian migrants — 57 men and seven women — were repatriated to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shortly before noon. “The group of migrants was escorted by a joint team of Royal Bahamas Defence Force and immigration officers,” read a statement. “All Ministry of Health safety protocols were strictly enforced and overseeing...