GBPA braces for govt to launch arbitration
THE Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is bracing for the Government to formally initiate arbitration proceedings as early as this week after talks failed to break the deadlock over the latter’s $357m demand.
Mitchell demands halt to cemetery’s appeal
A CABINET minister was yesterday revealed to have intervened on behalf of his constituents over a planning appeal involving a proposed 13-acre Bernard Road cemetery that is heavily opposed.
PM: Bill’s ‘flexibility’ to end GBPA’s energy regulation
THE Prime Minister yesterday confirmed that the Electricity Bill 2024 provides “the flexibility” to remove the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) ability to regulate the energy sector in Freeport.
Opposition leader fears Bill ‘guts URCA’s BPL oversight’
THE Opposition’s leader yesterday accused the Government of “gutting URCA’s oversight” with planned energy regulation reforms that the Prime Minister said could lead to BPL’s break-up.
Sarkis wins bid to take Baha Mar fraud claim to trial
SARKIS Izmirlian’s $2.25bn fraud and breach of contract claim against Baha Mar’s Chinese contractor was yesterday cleared to proceed to full trial before a New York court this August.
One-month tax certificate to halt ‘bush crack, man gone’
Bahamian tax authorities yesterday asserted they have “learned from our mistakes” as it emerged companies with outstanding bills are only being issued with tax compliance certificates valid for one month.
Doctors Hospital targets $10m acquisition boost
Doctors Hospital yesterday predicted annual revenues will increase by $10m through its acquisition of The Kidney Centre in a deal that will make its workforce more than 1,000-strong.
Minister’s $185k CARIFTA ‘surplus’ came from 360% subsidy overshoot
A Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that last year’s CARIFTA games generated a $185,503 “net surplus” even though this was only made possible by a taxpayer subsidy over four times’ higher than budgeted.
GBPA seeks to reassure on ‘unfortunate public noise’
The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) last night moved to reassure its licensees and potential investors over “the very unfortunate public noise” created by its $357m dispute with the Government.
Energy bill opens door to BPL move
The Government yesterday unveiled a major overhaul of the country’s energy regulatory regime to provide a platform for rescuing Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) from its $1bn debt and investment hole.
Nassau/PI hotels ‘soon can’t take anyone else’
Nassau and Paradise Island hotels will “soon reach the point where we can’t take anyone else”, a senior tourism executive has warned, with room shortages driving “unheard of” March occupancies.
Cable ‘not rolling over and playing dead’ over Starlink
A senior Cable Bahamas executive pledged the group is “not rolling over and playing dead” as she was forced to defend its ability to compete with Elon Musk’s upstart Starlink satellite Internet service.
Don’t ‘erode’ public worker benefits in pension reform
The Government’s public sector pension reforms “must not erode the benefits” workers enjoy under their current scheme, a union leader is warning, while challenging if those impacted were consulted.
DPM: Bahamians will gain Royal Caribbean PI shares
The deputy prime minister yesterday clarified that, while details are still being worked out, the Government plans to offer equity ownership in Royal Caribbean’s Paradise Island project to Bahamian investors.
‘Keep faucet open’ govt urged as real estate triples
The Government was yesterday urged to “keep the faucet open”, and not tinker with real estate taxes and regulation in the upcoming Budget, as contracted property sales more than tripled year-over-year.
