Govt will borrow $722m to pay bills
THE Minnis administration projects borrowing more than $722m to cover inherited outstanding bills along with the costs associated with running the country moving forward, after discovering the current fiscal year is “far bleaker” than anyone could have imagined as the Christie administration left “the cupboard bare,” according to Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest.
Hurricane and shortfall of revenue blamed by Davis for $400m extra deficit
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday blamed Hurricane Matthew, a shortfall in income revenue and a reduction in taxes for a $400m overrun in the country’s GFS deficit.
$10m paid in NHI consultancy fees and $30m in roadside contracts in past year
THE Christie administration paid over $10m in consultancy fees for National Health Insurance in the last fiscal year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest revealed yesterday.
Bahamasair may cut back domestic services
TOURISM and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday speculated over the possibility of systematically reducing Bahamasair’s domestic presence year to year, with an ultimate view of withdrawing domestic services completely in the coming years.
Finances to affect crime fight
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday said many of the Minnis administration’s long-term crime fighting strategies will “take some time to really bring to the fore,” adding that the country’s law enforcement agencies will have to “make do with what we have” until the government gets its fiscal affairs in order.
Details laid out of plans to tackle corruption
THE Minnis administration added some meat to the bones of its transparency and accountability agenda yesterday, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest revealing the government’s plans for anti-corruption initiatives, handling of constituency allowances and regulation of public procurement processes, among other things.
Tax relief on clothes and food
MINISTER of Finance K Peter Turnquest yesterday announced the government’s tax relief measures which feature the elimination or reduction of import duties on clothing, accessories and on a number of food, beverage, personal care, car parts and accessories, including those needed by those who are disabled.
More audits for post office and hurricane fund
FORENSIC and internal audits ordered at government ministries and departments will continue unabated with no regard to how matters are “spun by the opposition,” Press Secretary Anthony “Ace” Newbold said yesterday.
Environment Ministry probing reports of ‘massive’ fuel spill
ENVIRONMENT Minister Romauld Ferreira yesterday confirmed officials from his ministry are “looking into” reports of a massive fuel spill in western New Providence over the weekend.
THE BUDGET: Government debt 'historically high'
MINISTER of Finance Peter Turnquest stressed the "historically high burden of government debt" as the new Free National Movement administration sets about the task of achieving economic stability and fulfilling campaign promises.
Davis demands answers on NIB worker ‘victimisation’
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis regarding a decision to place several National Insurance Board (NIB) executives on “involuntary” leave, saying he “condemned” this action against the Board’s employees.
Quarterly press conferences planned by Prime Minister
NEWLY appointed Press Secretary Anthony “Ace” Newbold yesterday signaled a shift in the culture of press engagement with the nation’s leader, with the introduction of quarterly press conferences with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.Mr Newbold advised
Caricom agrees to support to Venezuela amid unrest
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis spoke with members of the Caribbean Community Monday night and agreed in principle to lend support to Venezuela during its current wave of unrest, according to Press Secretary Anthony Newbold. At a press briefing at t
Minnis talks of ‘calm’ ahead of rollout of crime plan
A DAY after a man was found murdered at Boatswain Hill in the capital, marking the fifth killing since the Free National Movement was elected to govern the country, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said “there is a sense of calmness” hovering over The Bahamas after his party’s crippling defeat of the Progressive Liberal Party.
‘PLP committed to $100m of healthcare initiatives without funding in place’
OVER $100m worth of “unfunded” commitments were made by the previous Progressive Liberal Party administration for unspecified public healthcare initiatives, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands claimed yesterday.
