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Volume: 121 No.133, June 5, 2024
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PINTARD: FNM WILL NOT INCREASE VAT Party leader says he will add exemptions and won’t raise rate By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he does not intend to increase the value-added tax rate above ten percent if elected prime minister, despite vowing to remove the tax from certain healthy foods, medicines
and feminine and infant care products. The Minnis administration raised VAT to 12 percent, insisting this was needed to accomplish its fiscal consolidation plans. The administration simultaneously removed VAT from breadbasket items as a concession. SEE PAGE THREE
SUNKEN EXCAVATOR IN EXUMA WATERS RAISES SAFETY CONCERN By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AN excavator submerged in Exuma waters since last year caused a boat accident this week, sparking fears among residents as a regatta festival nears. Clayton Smith, the island’s deputy chief councillor, said yesterday: “The
problem is this is a busy weekend in Long Island, and there are dozens and dozens of boats travelling between Great Exuma and Long Island, and the biggest fear is that someone’s going to run into that thing before this weekend is out and this time it may be fatal.” SEE PAGE TWO
FNM party leader Michael Pintard speaking during the 2024 FNM convention held at Baha Mar on Saturday. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Police: Investigation ‘still ongoing’ in ‘JUSTICE WAS Detention Centre sex assault claim SERVED’, SAYS GAGNON AS CASE DISMISSED By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
MONTHS after a Jamaican woman claimed she was sexually assaulted at the Carmichael Road
Detention Centre, police said they are still investigating her allegations. Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson could not give a timeline when the probe would be completed, telling The Tribune: “It is
still ongoing.” Last December, a 40-year-old Jamaican woman and her 11-yearold son were released from custody after The Tribune SEE PAGE FOUR
of such facilities as schools, which are usually used as shelters, and prompted officials to say they would construct hurricane-resistant shelters on each island. This year’s hurricane season is projected to be the most active in years, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projecting 17 to 25
PHILIPPE Gagnon, a businessman accused of slapping the son of an Albany executive during a New Year’s Eve party, said “justice was served” after the causing harm trial against him was dismissed on Monday. Mr Gagnon allegedly slapped Spencer Charrington, son of Peter Charrington, during a Moulin Rouge New Year’s Eve event at the resort. He claimed he did this because
SEE PAGE FIVE
SEE PAGE TWO
GOVT TO BUILD ‘CAT-5 READY’ HURRICANE SHELTERS By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net DISASTER Risk Management Authority managing director Aarone Sargent said the government is seeking to build at least five hurricane shelters that could withstand category five storms over the next two years. Hurricane Dorian
AARONE SARGENT, managing director of the DRM. Photo: Nikia Charlton highlighted the insufficiency
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
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