The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis has clarified that the government will utilize an initial $200 million from a $1 billion drawdown provided by the UKEXIM Bank for the development of the Grand Bahama International Airport. Prime Minister Davis explained the partnership is for development of the airport. "We are trying to do it in a way that would...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are investigating what they have classified a “suspicious death” on Crooked Island after a man was found dead in the street early Saturday morning. Police say that  sometime around 3:30 am officers attached to the Crooked Island Division received reports of a man lying in the street in the area of Queens Highway, Landrail Point.  Upon...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There is currently limited understanding of the potential of 5G technology in The Bahamas, according the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA). URCA also found that there is limited established demand for the services from both residential and non-residential users. The communications regulator while recently announcing the release of its Public Consultation on the Demand for Enhanced...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police on the island of Exuma are investigating the county’s latest traffic fatality, which has resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man.  According to reports, sometime around 3:09 pm, while in the area of Queens Highway in George Town, the victim was riding his motorcycle in a northern direction when he lost control and collided into...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS-  A $1billion drawdown has been provided to The Bahamas by the British government’s export credit agency, with $400 million of that sum to be allocated towards the redevelopment of Grand Bahama’s International Airport according to Prime Minister Philip Davis.  Prime Minister Davis during the Caribbean Council’s Bahamas Investment promotional event in London Thursday noted that the airport will...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The government is spending over $80 million a year on private insurance with the majority covering individuals who are not employees it was revealed yesterday, with the Ministry of National Security announcing that an amendment to the policy which provides medical insurance coverage to dependents of members of the security branches will come into effect July 1. In...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In a landmark decision, the UK-based Privy Council has ruled that children born out of wedlock in The Bahamas to foreign women and Bahamian men are citizens at birth and do not have to wait until the age of 18 to apply for citizenship. The Privy Council’s ruling upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Justice Ian Winder yesterday ordered the demolition of structures erected by just two of nearly 180 shanty town residents after determining that they “wilfully” breached a 2018 Supreme Court injunction which prohibited  the construction of new structures in shantytowns across country. Back in February, Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson  discharged an injunction that previously barred the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In response to the recent confirmation by the Grand Bahama Utility Company’s (GBUC) that utility rates will increase, The Government yesterday insisted that a “satisfactory case” for the adjustment has not been made. In a statement, the Ministry for Grand Bahama stated that a reasonable consultative period could not have realistically occurred within the notice period for...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday that amendments to the Gaming Act are not presently before Cabinet for consideration, while noting that there will be consultation with industry stakeholders and the public on the issues. Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the 3rd Caribbean Regulator’s Forum & 10th Caribbean Gaming Show at the Atlantis Paradise Island...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) will host a “Meet the Minister” Power Breakfast on Thursday May 11, featuring Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell as the guest speaker. Minister Bell will speak on general topics such as the government’s apprenticeship program, work renewals, and the country’s immigration policies. The Power Breakfast event, which...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) said yesterday that it is ‘encouraged’ by the tabling of the Ombudsman Bill, 2023 in the House of Assembly, as it called for sufficient time to be allowed for public review and input of the legislation.   The legislation seeks to establish a body for transparency, accountability and integrity in the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) yesterday announced that it has approved the Grand Bahama Utility Company’s (GBUC) application for a rate increase, to be made effective on June bills. The GBPA also noted that it has sanctioned customer service standards that the water company must meet. Should the company fail to meet those standards, customer accounts must be...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Government is looking to amend the law which prohibits Bahamians from gambling in casinos, according to Gaming Board Chairman Dr Daniel Johnson, who said The Bahamas should not “ discriminate against our own people”. Casino gaming is legal in The Bahamas for non-residents 18 years and older. Section 50 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, however prohibits...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Since the official launch of the government’s ParkConnect project last August, BTC has thus far powered 42 parks throughout The Bahamas with Wi-Fi, completing 32 last year and connecting 10 in the first quarter of 2023.  ParkConnect is a social initiative introduced by the Government to bridge the digital divide by providing free internet access at designated...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Al Dillette, Consular General for The Bahamas in Toronto, died at home in his official residence on Monday. Mr Dillette is survived by his wife Kathryn, two sons, Adam and Robert (Aafiah); one daughter, Alana (Derrick) and three grandchildren, Xzavier, Maya and Elijah. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell in a statement noted that Dillette was discovered by...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Police are searching for two gunmen who shot a 30-year-old man yesterday afternoon and struck a primary school student with their vehicle as they fled the scene of the crime.  The shooting victim according to police is in hospital in serious condition while the male primary school student is said to be in stable condition. The incident reportedly...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country’s external reserves increased to $2.6 billion in March, though noticeably lower than the prior year’s growth which included proceeds from government’s external borrowings.  Central Bank Governor John Rolle yesterday noted, "As of the beginning of May, the external reserves measured approximately $2.7 billion, still a healthy position. On a seasonal basis, these balances are expected...