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Monday, March 2, 2026
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Planning reforms are ‘a little rough’ BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN realtor is urging that the Government’s proposed planning law reforms add a “third step” for subdivision approval as he branded some of the fines, penalties and sanctions-related provisions “a little rough”. David Morley, Morley Realty’s broker/owner, told Tribune Business that the Planning and Subdivision Bill 2026, which was recently tabled in the House of Assembly, should include an “occupancy certificate” type provision that would validate a developer has completed an approved subdivision with all the necessary infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, installed. This, he added, would be in addition to the preliminary and full subdivision approvals that the Bill, and existing Act that was passed in 2010, provide for. However, Mr Morley argued that such a “third step” approval would bolster one of the legislation’s key goals - preventing unscrupulous developers from selling lots in irregular subdivisions to unsuspecting Bahamian buyers, who are then unable to realise any value or use one of their biggest-ever investments because no infrastructure is in place.
Realtor urges ‘third step’ for subdivision approval
SUPER Value’s owner says he has “no concerns about the future” of the 13-store grocery chain as he reassured customers and the Bahamian public: “I’m really on the road to recovery.” Rupert Roberts, speaking to Tribune Business from his hospital room in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and surrounded by close family, confirmed he is now out of intensive care after being struck down with pneumonia as he warmly thanked Bahamians
Buyers made ‘gatekeepers’ over illegal lot sales The Morley Realty chief told this newspaper that it would only be upon issuance of this third approval, confirming that a subdivision has been completed and all requirements complied with, that a developer can start selling lots. And, noting that the Bill makes new mandatory demands on developers that are not included in the present Act, he urged caution in striking the correct balance between necessary regulation and ensuring real estate projects do not become “cost prohibitive”. Pointing out that increased costs will inevitably be passed on to buyers just when many Bahamians are already “complaining real estate is too expensive”, Mr Morley said
over their blood donations and prayers for his recovery. Suggesting that there is “no reason why we couldn’t come back to the Bahamas in another ten days”, the Super Value chief also revealed that - once the pneumonia’s elimination is confirmed - he will likely have a replacement heart Pacemaker fitted while there at the Mayo Clinic before returning to this nation. Disclosing that the heart pacemaker replacement had been discussed previously with Dr Duane Sands, his Bahamian doctor, Mr Roberts told this newspaper
RECOVER - See Page B9
PM mulls tax relief to counter Iran oil spike BY FAY SIMMONS and Neil Hartnell Tribune Business Reporters THE Prime Minister is warning that the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel could worsen cost of living pressures in The Bahamas by driving higher global oil prices and thus increasing local energy and transportation costs Philip Davis KC, speaking at the weekend, said the renewed Middle East war threatens to push oil prices higher, potentially forcing the Government to examine tax adjustments to ease the burden on Bahamian households.
Workers ‘screaming’ over termination pay for Grand Lucayan
‘Cost prohibitive’ warning amid pricedout concern
Super Value chief: ‘No concern over the future’ BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
GRAND LUCAYAN
Describing the cost of living as The Bahamas’ “stubborn elephant”, Mr Davis said that - as a “consumptive economy” heavily reliant on imported goods and fuel - The Bahamas has limited control over externally driven price shocks and is extremely vulnerable to them. “The foreign affairs ministry is monitoring very closely, and no doubt any unrest around the world, because we are consumptive economy, will impact us,” said Mr Davis. “As I always said, the stubborn elephant in our room is cost
FINANCIAL - See Page B10
BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
DAVID MORLEY several provisions - including the possibility of six months’ jail time for developers who fail to install utilities, complete roads or leave roads in disrepair - are too onerous and need to be “revisited” given that sufficient sanctions exist elsewhere. He also noted that the Bill, which the Government appears keen on passing into law before Parliament is prorogued ahead of the upcoming general election, turns Bahamian lot buyers into “gatekeepers” by seemingly mandating that they tip-off the Department of Physical Planning’s director if they learn they are
REFORM - See Page B6
UNIONISED Grand Lucayan middle managers are “screaming” that termination payouts have fallen short of what they believe is owed, with their president asserting: “We will not stop until they get paid and we do what we have to do.” Obie Ferguson KC, head of the Bahamas Hotel and Managerial Association (BHMA), told Tribune Business that the situation is “absolutely terrible” and “really ridiculous” while asserting that the union’s 94 middle managers did not receive what they were due according to both the Employment Act and terms of their now-expired
industrial agreement during Friday’s severance payout at the resort. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) president said he is waiting to receive data on what BHMA members actually received so this can be compared to what the Association had calculated each of its members was due from the Government and its special purpose vehicle (SPV), Lucayan Renewal Holdings. He reiterated that he had received no objections from the Davis administration to the calculations of severance, and other outstanding benefits, that the union had submitted to the Government back in November.
SEVERANCE - See Page B10