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Volume: 120 No.42, March 2, 2023
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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
PM: DEFICIT FIGURE WAS INACCURATE
Davis blames error by writer as he corrects statement By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government’s fiscal deficit actually decreased by $5.3m in the first half of the fiscal year when compared to the same period in the previous year, Prime Minister Phillip Davis clarified in the House of Assembly yesterday. He conceded that his comments last week on the deficit were not accurate. In his mid-year budget communication last Wednesday, Mr Davis told the House of Assembly that
revenue collections were up but also noted that the government experienced a net deficit of $285.7m, which represented an increase of $7.8m compared to the previous period. The revelation made headlines in the local dailies. But during his contribution in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Davis singled out the Nassau Guardian and said its headline, which stated “Revenue Rises but Deficit Up” was not accurate.
WHILE revealing new details about the former administration’s food programme, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday accused a non-profit organisation of going on “a spending spree” to purchase two high end trucks and boats with public funds meant to provide food assistance to Bahamians during the pandemic. As he was ending
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN and international travellers will ultimately have to pay user fees of up to $43 per person to finance the collective $263m redevelopment of the 14 Family Island airports put out to bid yesterday. The project information memorandum (PIM), released to interested private sector bidders, reveals that “recommendations” have already been made to levy passenger facility fees that will increase through a series of phased-in rises over a four-year period to pay for upcoming infrastructure upgrades at the major Family Island airports.
KENISE: NO LIABILITY DISCUSSED
SEE PAGE THREE
his contribution to the mid-year budget debate yesterday, Mr Davis, who did not name the NGO, said substantial amounts of money along with boats and trucks were recently returned to the government by the organisation in question. “We have previously brought to the attention of the public, the startling lack of controls surrounding the previous administration’s pandemic food programme,” Mr
TRAVELLERS TO PAY $43 DEPARTURE FACILITY FEE
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
‘NGO WENT ON SPENDING SPREE WITH FOOD MONEY’
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
CLASSIFIEDS TRADER
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis said yesterday in Parliament that a ‘speech writing error’ lead to newspapers reporting that the deficit is up despite increased revenues. He said ‘just look at the numbers’ to see that it decreased by $5.3m when compared to the same period last year. Photo: Moise Amisial
SEE PAGE THREE
COP: WE’LL KEEP MURDERS UNDER 100 THIS YEAR By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
WITH repeated pledges to take policing to “another level,” Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said yesterday he intends to reduce the country’s murder count below 100. Commissioner Fernander revealed his 2023 policing plan at a press conference where he outlined six key
CHIEF of Police Clayton Fernander. Photo: Austin Fernader priorities to impact crime trends.
He reiterated that police are focused on maintaining law and order, preserving the peace, preventing and detecting crime, apprehending offenders, and enforcing the law. The commissioner noted that this year, and specifically the month of March, police will “flood the streets” in an effort to upset crime trends and tackle gun violence in the country.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE ELEVEN
WHILE giving an update on the investigation into the death of Kenise Darville, Public Hospitals Authority managing director Dr Aubynette Rolle said in their communications with relatives, there were no discussions regarding liability. However, Jerard Darville, Mrs Darville’s husband, previously told The Tribune that following the close of the investigation and a meeting with hospital officials last Thursday, PHA had taken responsibility for the negligence shown in the case of his wife. SEE PAGE TWO
FRONT PORCH
WHILE REFORM NEEDED WESTMINSTER SYSTEM STILL SUPERIOR
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