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Volume: 123 No. 79, Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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‘HOSPITAL IN WORST STATE IN 40 YEARS’ Union to meet this week with patience of PMH nurses wearing thin By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn says Princess Margaret Hospital is in the worst condition she has seen in more than 40 years as a nurse. Her comments echo concerns raised by Consultant Physicians Staff Association president Dr Charelle
Lockhart, who recently warned that conditions at Princess Margaret Hospital have deteriorated significantly. Ms Lightbourn issued her stark assessment, warning that nurses’ patience is wearing thin over longstanding grievances, including outstanding promotions, overtime, and mileage payments. She said nurses will meet this week to decide their
next course of action. She told The Tribune that some of the issues date back to 2023 and that recent meetings with the Department of Public Health have yielded little progress. She showed this newspaper a list indicating that more than 20 nurses are awaiting matters related to promotions. Among them is the acting Director of
BAHAMAS Nurses Union (BNU) President Muriel Lightbourn.
NURSES - SEE PAGE THREE
Halkitis defends VAT changes, Bowleg: $15m National Arts Centre says grocers had ‘ample time’ renovation bill ‘not cost effective’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis yesterday pushed back on criticism from the food retail sector over its VAT regime, stressing that merchants had ample time to make adjustments ahead of the next month’s VAT cut
on unprepared food. The Davis administration announced earlier this year that VAT on unprepared food will be reduced to zero from April 1. However, food merchants have criticised the move, saying the new tax rules create a “workload” that makes timely and accurate VAT - SEE PAGE FOUR
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis.
YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said it would cost about $15 million to renovate the National Centre for the Performing Arts, a price the government considers too high without first deciding whether to demolish the
building or pursue another option. His comments to The Tribune followed complaints on social media about the current state of the building, with some critics describing its condition as a “disgrace” and questioning the government’s regard for the arts. ARTS - SEE PAGE THREE
National Centre for the performing arts on Shirley Street.
WESTERN AIR CHIEF WARNS OF AIR FARE INCREASE AS 40% FUEL SPIKE EXPECTED By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
PILOTS boarding a Western Air jet.
WESTERN Air’s principal yesterday warned air fares will “inevitably” increase after the carrier was told its fuel costs will quickly spike by more than 40 percent due to the Middle East conflict’s impact on global oil prices. Sherrexcia ‘Rexy’ Rolle, the Bahamian-owned airline’s
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
president, chief executive and general counsel, in a messaged reply to Tribune Business inquiries said Western Air had also been told to brace for further aviation fuel cost increases beyond the initial 40 percent surge. And, given that fuel is the industry’s major cost item, she added that increased “pressure” on air travel costs and “accessibility” to destinations such as The Bahamas is bound to result. SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY