The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Works Minister Desmond Bannister said yesterday that he has asked Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) to provide him with the figures on how many disconnections the company has carried out since July. He told Eyewitness News yesterday, “there’s no way” the company could have disconnected nearly 9,000 consumers as reported last week. Back in July, the company...

NASSAU,BAHAMAS — Aviation officials said yesterday the Grand Bahama airport could fully reopen today as investigations into a recent incident get underway. On Saturday, an American Airlines flight from Miami to Freeport overran the runway just before noon. According to reports, the Embraer ERJ-145LR, which had traveled from Miami, experienced some mechanical difficulties on the runway after landing and skidded...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former House Speaker Dr Kendal Major yesterday insisted that the time has come for Parliament to become independent and the position of speaker made autonomous. Major was responding to comments made by House Speaker Halson Moultrie last week. Moultrie called the tabling of the Court Services Act a "complete insult"  to the Parliament, given that no effort...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Beginning November 1, Facebook ads in The Bahamas will be subject to 12 percent value-added tax (VAT). Acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson yesterday said the move now puts Facebook and other online operators on “even footing” with Bahamian companies offering marketing services inside the Bahamas who have to charge the necessary VAT. Facebook has announced the tax...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson said yesterday that his constituents had “every right” to be upset over last week’s water supply disruption. Johnson told Eyewitness News “they are upset and so am I". “My constituents are upset about it and I am upset about what has transpired in this whole ordeal," he said. "The Chairman of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Water & Sewerage Corporation (WSC) has obtained a Supreme Court injunction against a reverse osmosis plant operator, asserting that it “deliberately and egregiously” shut off the water supply to the people of Central Eleuthera. Eleuthera residents have had their water supply disrupted for the past several days. The corporation said in a statement that it has “obtained an...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) yesterday maintained its opposition to marijuana reform and the introduction of a hemp industry. In a statement, BCC president Bishop Delton Fernander said the council is concerned that the government may be "experiencing a nudge by individuals or groups with a special interest in marijuana be they economic or otherwise". He added...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors Hospital chief executive Charles Sealey said yesterday that increasing COVID-19 testing wherever possible is a key strategy in mitigating the spread of the virus. The BISX-listed healthcare provider recently expanded testing accessibility to the Town Centre Mall. Sealey said: “As all nations have to consider how we are going to live with this COVID-19 pandemic we...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The body of a man was found shortly before 8 pm on Saturday on Fifth Street, Coconut Grove. The circumstances surrounding his death is currently under investigation. Preliminary reports indicated that there were injuries to the victim's body. Police said after receiving information, officers went to the scene and found the man unresponsive at the rear end...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) prepares to participate in the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Collaboration Mission, BTVI President Dr. Robert W Robertson said he will explore more options for students to study in Canada through the ELAP's scholarship program. Robertson will represent the institution at the 13th edition of the collaborative...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) donated produce from its farm in North Andros to the Ranfurly Home for Children. The donation included cases of sweet potatoes, eggplant, pumpkin, and papaya. October 16 was recognized as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) World Food Day under the theme “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together”. BAMSI joined...

“If you’re found with dope, you 'gone get' lock up,” says Rolle NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said yesterday he does not believe possession of marijuana will be made legal in The Bahamas next year, despite recommendations from two government-appointed bodies to decriminalize possession of small quantities of the substance for personal use. His statement came two days...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of National Security confirmed yesterday that two staffers tested positive for COVID-19 in late September and early October respectively. According to a statement, the first case reported sick on September 11 and was sent home. The employee was tested on September 14. The Ministry of Health confirmed the staffer as COVID-positive on September 22 —...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas recorded 133 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday. Of the new cases, there were 109 in New Providence, 19 in Grand Bahama, two in Abaco, two in the Berry Islands, and one in Eleuthera. A breakdown of the new infections by sex, showed that 85 were women while 48 were...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A total of 218 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 since its outbreak in mid-March. Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said yesterday that up to 20 officers remain in quarantine as a result of potential exposures. “You know the number changes, but when I did the assessment on Monday, we had about 30 officers in quarantine,”...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Shavon Ferguson, a resident of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, who has had to quarantine following a close exposure with a COVID-19 case, has been without water for five days. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Ferguson said she has been forced to cook with fresh water her husband purchases from a local supplier, and bathe and sanitize with...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of Immigration Clarence Russell indicated yesterday that no one applied to the department following Hurricane Dorian to have their government-issued documents such as work visas replaced. Following the catastrophic storm in September 2019, Parliament passed legislation to exempt eligible people from storm impacted areas from paying fees to replace government-issued documents that were lost or damaged...

No outbreak at the detention center, procedures so far “foolproof” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While a “significant” number of immigration officers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, all have recovered, according to Director of Immigration Clarence Russel. During the Ministries of Financial Services, Trade and Industry, and Immigration report to the nation, Russell said 70 officers had to quarantine since...