Sir Franklyn denies FOCOL involved in BEC generation bid
Sir Franklyn Wilson yesterday “categorically” denied that FOCOL Holdings was involved with any bid to provide improved electricity generation for Bahamas Power & Light (BPL).
Govt gives Freeport new ‘11th hour’ stay
The Government has been urged to provide Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) licensees with “certainty”, after it gave them another two-month extension to apply for renewal of key tax breaks AFTER the previous deadline expired.
Ex-minister: VAT break ‘inherited’ from Sarkis
Baha Mar’s new owner will likely have “inherited” its Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemptions from Sarkis Izmirlian, a former finance minister saying “any developer worth his salt” would have sought protection from new taxes.
NHI fee structures to evolve over time
National Health Insurance’s (NHI) project manager says laboratory and pharmaceutical services will be rolled-out over the next few weeks, with the fee structure for service providers ultimately changing over time..
QC: Cruise port signing ‘politically irresponsible’
A well-known QC has slammed as “politically irresponsible” the signing of the Heads of Agreement for Carnival’s $100 million east Grand Bahama cruise port a week ahead of the general elections, arguing there had been no public consultation over the project.
Activist ‘shock’ over new Blackbeard’s Cay process
Environmental activists were yesterday “in a state of shock” after the Government, rather than obey a court Order to close Blackbeard’s Cay down, instead initiated a process to grant it the necessary planning approvals.
Benchmark: ‘We’ve turned the corner’
A BISX-listed company yesterday expressed optimism it has “turned the corner”, its principal adding that its settlement with US federal regulators did “not stipulate” the instant redemption of its $5 million preference share capital.
Baha Mar deal ‘doubles down’ on the secrecy
Baha Mar’s Heads of Agreement “doubles down on the lack of transparency” surrounding the Government’s earlier deal with the China Export-Import Bank to complete the $4.2 billion project, an activist group alleged yesterday.
Freeport tax regime answers still sought
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president has pledged to pursue the private sector’s demand for answers over Freeport’s new investment regime as a “priority”, even though the deadline for compliance passed yesterday.
NHI primary doctors to ‘easily hit’ 150-200
The National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme’s project manager yesterday said he expects the number of primary care providers to “easily hit 150-200”, which would “more than cover” the number of Bahamians expected enrol.
IAN FERGUSON: Nursing the workplace past a general election
Next week is undoubtably a critical moment in the life and times of Bahamians, as we prepare to go into a general election vote. Many Bahamians view the issues surrounding the 2017 election as crucial for the economic development and advancement of this country.
Provider rejects insurance demand over renewables
A Bahamian renewable energy provider yesterday disagreed “completely” with the requirement for residential suppliers to obtain general liability insurance, arguing that this was “unwarranted” and an added expense.
NHI public insurer deal ‘in coming days’
The contract to manage the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme’s public insurer could be concluded “in the coming days”, its project manager yesterday saying doctors will temporarily be paid directly via the NHI Authority.
Govt puts Bahamas ‘at tremendous risk’
The FNM’s deputy leader yesterday accused the Government of treating the Public Treasury as “a bottomless pit” through its pre-election spending commitments, warning that it had placed the Bahamas “at tremendous risk”.
Freeport utilities regulation dispute ‘back at forefront’
The long-running dispute over who has regulatory authority for Freeport’s utilities is “coming to the forefront” again, URCA’s chief executive yesterday hoping negotiation will resolve differences with Cable Bahamas and GB Power Company.
