COVID food initiative had ‘highest level of integrity’
The probe into the $51m COVID food assistance initiative will conclude that taxpayer funds were “used to the greatest effect” if it is unbiased, a governance reformer asserted yesterday.
Sir William’s son hits back in $144k dispute
A son of the late Sir William Allen yesterday denied that his father owed a $144,000 debt to a local businessman, and argued that any obligation to repay hinges on a “deal” that has not yet closed.
SAFE & SECURE: SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Almost two years later and there is seemingly no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic; the fifth such declared event since 1918. This particular one, though, harnesses the power of the Internet to drive its messaging. The media impact, notwithstanding the global spread, has been immediate and consistent. Perhaps the coverage has done more damage than the actual virus, but that is another story.
Gov’ts ‘strong stance’ limited GB Power hike
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the Government’s intervention was responsible for the 47 percent reduction in Grand Bahama Power Company’s base electricity rate increase.
VAT cut to help offset surge in local prices
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the VAT cut has helped offset some of the inflationary impact Bahamian consumers are now feeling from higher prices on food and other essentials.
‘Caribbean’s Singapore’: $15bn GDP target urged
The Bahamas was yesterday urged to target a 50 percent GDP increase to $15bn, a governance reformer arguing: “There’s no reason we can’t be the Singapore of the Caribbean.”
Judge cuts $66k from Sir William’s outstanding loans
The late Sir William Allen’s estate has persuaded the Supreme Court to slash unpaid loans allegedly owed to a prominent Bahamian businessman by some $66,000.
Don’t alienate NGOs in creating ‘political stink’
The Opposition’s leader yesterday warned the Government not to “alienate” non-profit groups and their donors by creating a “political stink” around the $51m COVID food assistance initiative.
GB Power rate hike approval sparks ‘new regulator’ charge
Renewed calls were made last night for an independent regulator to take over supervision of all Freeport utilities after Grand Bahama Power Company’s base tariff hike was partially approved.
Electricity rate hike ‘blow’ to GB revival
The Free National Movement (FNM) last night branded approval of Grand Bahama Power Company’s base rate increase as “counter productive” for making it more difficult to attract investment.
Landscaping chair hits out over rogue entrants
Established landscaping companies are increasingly having to clean-up behind rogue new market entrants who have emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was argued yesterday.
Supply chain woe ‘highly challenging’ for brewery
Commonwealth Brewery’s top executive yesterday said supply chain woes had made trade “highly challenging” for some of its imported brands with such issues set to persist in 2022.
Bad weather cancels as many cruise calls as COVID’s Omicron
Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said it has lost more vessel calls to bad weather than the COVID Omicron variant with berth bookings “very solid” for the remainder of 2022.
Dorian rebuild in question for 98% on tax break loss
Some 98 percent of business and home owners in Dorian-devastated Abaco say reinstating 10 percent VAT on construction services will “significantly influence” whether they rebuild or not.
Dive operator hopes cancellations don’t exceed 15% mark
A Bimini dive operator is hoping COVID-related cancellations do not exceed the current 15 percent level with “40 percent of more” of annual business generated in the first three calendar months.
