PM renews assault on COVID food initiative
The Prime Minister yesterday renewed his assault on “astounding” deficiencies with the COVID-19 food assistance initiative even though a 138-page audit report produced no evidence of corruption, fraud or misappropriation of funds.
‘They wanted Gov’t to buy the Grand Lucayan twice’
The Grand Lucayan’s ex-chairman yesterday said the Government would “effectively have been buying the hotel a second time” had it agreed to Royal Caribbean and ITM Group’s demand it finance 95 percent of the $50m purchase price.
Food Task Force urgency may have hurt efficiency
The speed and urgency with which the COVID-19 Food Distribution Task Force had to be created will likely mean some elements were not executed “in the most efficient or effective way”, a governance reformer argued yesterday.
‘Lord knows’ Freeport requires tourism scale
An ex-tourism minister yesterday voiced optimism that the Grand Lucayan’s sale will be the “catalyst” that builds scale by luring other resort developers to Freeport, adding: “Lord knows Grand Bahama needs it.”
What Next for Cryptos?
ActivTrades
As the era of cheap money comes to an end, so do the conditions that propelled the price of Bitcoin and other crypto assets to the dizzying highs reached at the end of last year. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading just above $27,000, a drop of more than 60 percent from all-time maximum of almost $69,000 touched last November.
Potter’s Cay vendors: We need $48k for deck pilings
Six fire-ravaged Potter’s Cay vendors still need the extra $48,000 previously set aside for waterside pilings so they can reconstruct their decks, their Association president said yesterday.
New BPL chief pledges renewable energy focus
Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) newly-appointed chief executive has pledged to make the Government’s renewable energy focus a reality during his tenure at the state-owned energy monopoly.
Confusion over need for approvals over Potter’s Cay rebuild
A Cabinet minister said if Potter’s Cay vendors want to rebuild their stalls in the water they would have to get permission from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP).
Pintard: Govt needs to speak with one voice on VAT
FNM leader Michael Pintard says the government needs to clarify its position at the cabinet level on reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on breadbasket items.
No slowdown in bookings yet after CDC raised risk warning
THERE has been no slowdown so far in bookings after the US Centers for Disease Control raised the COVID risk rating for The Bahamas to level two - but hoteliers are on the alert as new subvariants are spreading in the US and could reach our shores.
FNM leader: Filling top BPL role ‘a move in the right direction’
The Opposition’s leader said the hiring of a new Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) chief executive officer is “a move in the right direction” - although he wants answers over why a cooling-off period was not followed from the new appointee’s previous role.
‘One more big investment’ to turn around GB fortunes
Grand Bahama businesses are “optimistic” on the prospects the Carnival Cruise Line groundbreaking ceremony for its new port destination gives for the island, but say that the island needs one more huge investment for it to turn the fortunes of the residents.
Love Beach project stalled
The controversial The View at Love Beach project has not yet started despite earlier reports that it was to start in January.
Lucayan sold - but ‘GB needs more’
As the Grand Lucayan Resort’s sale was announced on Tuesday, the Grand Bahama chamber president, James Carey, said “more is needed” for Grand Bahama than just the sale.
Ten percent rise in construction costs predicted this year
The Bahamas Contractors Association president said that rising shipping costs will continue to drive construction materials prices higher this year by ten percent at least.
