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Volume: 119 No.69, March 2, 2022
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GOVT STEPPED IN TO BLOCK BPL RATE RISE ‘JUNE DEBT PAYMENT OF $2BN IS NO PROBLEM’
Planned increase shelved after Cabinet ruled rise needed ministers’ approval By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A DAY after Bahamas Power and Light “prematurely” announced a proposed hike in electricity costs due to rising fuel prices, Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears said yesterday the government has not approved any rate increase for power in the country, nor is it considering doing so. This was also supported by Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday,
who committed his administration to doing all it can to avoid “raising the cost of electricity” on the Bahamian people. Both men spoke after the power provider advised consumers in a press release on Monday that fuel costs would rise 3.2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), w arning some customers could see a rise of about $8, while others could pay $19 more on their electricity bills depending on consumption. SEE PAGE THREE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Finance’s top official last night said he foresees “no issues whatsoever” over the ability to refinance $2bn in domestic debt coming due for repayment by June 2022. Financial secretary Simon Wilson said he was “highly confident, highly confident” that most if not all investors will agree to roll over their existing holdings. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
MORE HEALTH STAFF FOR FAMILY ISLANDS By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 200 healthcare workers are expected to be sent to various Family Islands to bolster medical services in those communities, according to Health Mister Dr Michael Darville. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dr Darville said the decision to increase manpower in public health on the islands was made by Cabinet after a paper highlighting staff shortages
and other deficiencies was brought to the government’s attention. “I’d like to say that fortunately in Cabinet after looking at the manpower deficiencies throughout the Family Islands, the ministry brought a paper, and it was approved for additional staff and so I’m pleased that we will begin to improve the manpower resources throughout the Family Islands,” the minister said before going to a Cabinet meeting. SEE PAGE FIVE
A CORAL PLAGUE A DIVER applies an antibiotic paste to a diseased colony of great star coral on Molasses Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Bahamians are being urged to sound the alarm over coral disease and the government is being asked to take swift action. See PAGE TWO for the full story. Photo: Karen Neely/Nova Southeastern University
COPS PROBE PRINTERS ON FAKE FOREIGN VACCINE CARDS By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville confirmed yesterday an official investigation has been launched to crack down on local printing companies producing fake vaccination cards. SEE PAGE FOUR
ABUSE VIDEO EXPOSES RISK TO ELDERLY By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association has condemned a video circulating on social media of an elderly person being abused and reiterated “this behaviour should not be condoned or tolerated”. In a release sent on Monday, the association spoke out about the video. “The Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association (TBAA)
AN IMAGE from the video in which an elderly woman is seen being placed into a parked car. recently became aware of a video circulating on social media of an elderly person being abused. The
association condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms and reiterates that this behaviour should not be condoned or tolerated,” it read. “While all abuse against the vulnerable is distasteful we firmly stand in agreement with the World Health Organization and its World Report on Violence and Health, which states that the ‘concern of mistreatment of older SEE PAGE FIVE
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ALICIA WALLACE: ASK THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS FOR CAREGIVING NOW
- SEE PAGE EIGHT