FNM deputy demands relief funding ‘fairness’
The Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday urged the Christie administration to put the necessary measures in place to ensure “fairness and accountability” in the allocation of hurricane relief funding, adding that better planning was necessary to prevent the Bahamas being caught “flat-footed again”.
NIB’s unfunded pension liability near 50% GDP
The National Insurance Board’s (NIB) unfunded pension liabilities, equivalent to almost 50 per cent of Bahamian GDP, represent a “major fiscal risk” that demands at least a 5.4 per cent increase in contribution rates.
Power loss leaves bed maker dozing
A bedding manufacturer yesterday said business levels had plunged almost 90 per cent year-over-year post-Matthew, with the loss of electricity for two full weeks severely compromising its ability to produce finished products and generate sales.
FNM’s deputy slams storm tax ‘nonsense’
The Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday slammed the Government’s ‘hurricane tax’ proposal as “nonsense”, warning that an “already devastated” society and economy would find it impossible to bear further cost increases.
BPL places new business connect requests on hold
Superwash’s newly-opened $3m million laundromat has been unable to get an electricity connection because Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) is not currently accepting any new business applications.
Bran: New taxes ‘won’t dig us out’ of Matthew hole
The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday warned the Government not to “dig yourself out of the hole” left by Hurricane Matthew through further taxing Bahamians, adding: “We cannot afford it.”
SUPERGREEN SOLUTIONS: A beacon of light through the storm
I thought it was bad that my power was off for nearly a week after Hurricane Matthew. But I know that is nothing compared to many of my fellow Bahamians, who are not expected to have their light restored for a long time. If you are looking to find or provide some electricity relief in this hard time, this article is for you.
No Gov’t pressure on debt ratio drops
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday said there had been no pressure from the Government to revise the Bahamas’ various debt ratios downwards, a move that led to the re-publication of its 2016 second quarter economic review.
Union chief urges employers: Keep paying workers
A trade union leader yesterday urged employers whose businesses remain closed or inoperable following Hurricane Matthew to continue paying their employees as a “sign of good faith”.
Unions to assist staff at the Grand Lucayan
Trade unions representing Grand Lucayan workers are seeking to meet with resort executives to work out an arrangement where staff could receive payment for “a couple of weeks”, as they also step up to provide post-Matthew support.
Gov’t ‘strongly warned’ against storm relief tax
The Government was yesterday “warned very strongly” against implementing new or increased taxes to fund Hurricane Matthew relief, the Chamber arguing such a move will be “counter-productive” to the Bahamas’ recovery.
Labourers few for landscaper’s 25% business increase
A NEW Providence-based landscaping firm has increased staffing levels by almost 60 per cent to cope with post-Hurricane Matthew demands, its principal yesterday estimating business levels were 20-25 per cent higher than normal.
PM tells Sarkis: ‘We won’t help’ over Baha Mar
PRIME Minister Perry Christie’s office last night effectively told Sarkis Izmirlian he was ‘on his own’ in seeking to reacquire Baha Mar, as it hit out at the “extraordinary statements” attached to his latest offer.
Matthew ‘another nail in coffin’ for new auto dealers
THE Bahamas Motor Dealers Association’s (BMDA) president yesterday expressed fears that Hurricane Matthew will be “another nail in the coffin for new car sales”, with its impact carrying through into the 2017 New Year.
Chamber chair: $150m bond ‘very ‘difficult’ at once
THE proposed $150 million Hurricane Reconstruction Bond is likely to be “multi-tiered” to appeal to different investor groupings, the Chamber’s chairman said yesterday, expressing concern over whether the target sum could be raised in one shot.
