business@tribunemedia.net
Thursday, June 11, 2026
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Lower power bills for thousands in GB after Electricity Act reforms By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net MORE than 17,000 Grand Bahama households and 1,500 small and medium-sized businesses are set to benefit from lower electricity costs following reforms to the Electricity Act Speaking during her contribution to the 2026-2027 Budget debate, Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis said electricity bill reductions will begin appearing on Grand Bahama Power Company bills issued this week as a result of the Government's efforts to bring the island's utility sector under the same regulatory framework as the rest of The Bahamas. "The uneven cost of electricity was also one of the reasons the Davis administration amended the Electricity Act and made it clear that
Tariff overhaul advances national energy goals
JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS electricity regulation, including pricing, must fall within a national statutory framework and under URCA, the
Lower energy costs expected to aid businesses
Some residential bills projected to fall 49%
independent regulator," she said. "By acquiring Grand Bahama Power Company, Freeport, Madam Speaker, is for the first time being brought in line with the rest of the country on electricity oversight and pricing. For Grand Bahama's more than 17,000 households and over 1,500 small and medium-sized businesses, this is significant." She said customers will begin seeing the impact of the changes on bills issued June 11. "The new bills will reflect the elimination of the base
rate for the first 200 kilowatt hours of electricity, fuel charge tiers aligned to consumption tiers, and the elimination of the Storm Recovery Charge," said Mrs Coleby-Davis. She argued that the changes demonstrate that promised relief for Grand Bahama electricity consumers has already arrived. "As I highlight these changes, I wish to point out that a residential consumer on Grand Bahama will move from paying 22 cents for the
TAXI operators could be incorporated into Arawak Cay’s redevelopment plans through a formal call-up system as the government seek discussions with industry representatives over transportation arrangements at the popular tourism hub. The update comes as the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources moves ahead with extensive upgrades and expansion projects at Arawak Cay, including new souvenir stalls, cultural spaces and additional
attractions aimed at strengthening the destination’s appeal to both tourists and residents. Neil Campbell, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said discussions are ongoing regarding a dedicated taxi system for the site. “I am advised that we are still in discussion to have the Taxi Call Up System implemented at the Western Entrance Parking Lot Area,” Mr Campbell said. “[We] just need the input from the Taxi Union and the Road Traffic Department.” The comments appear to address concerns raised by
Tariff fears trigger fisheries action team By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has established a special task force to address potential US tariffs on Bahamian seafood exports, as growing concerns mount over the impact it could have on the country’s lucrative spiny lobster industry. Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell said the government has moved proactively to create a task force led by Chief Consultant Gregory Bethel to address potential threats to marine exports arising from
ongoing international trade discussions and proposed US tariffs. “We are also monitoring international developments affecting fisheries with global trade discussions around tariffs and market access,” Mr Campbell said. The move comes as Bahamian fisheries stakeholders warn that proposed US tariffs could significantly undermine the competitiveness of the country’s seafood exports, particularly spiny lobster, one of The Bahamas’ most valuable exports. Recent Tribune Business articles highlighted industry concerns over a proposed 12.5 percent tariff that
CONCERNS - See Page B5
Fuel hedge keeps $21.7m in consumers’ pockets By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net ENERGY Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis said Bahamas Power & Light's fuel hedging strategy has saved Bahamian consumers approximately $21.7m in just four months by shielding them from rising global oil prices. Mrs Coleby-Davis revealed during her contribution to the 2026-2027 Budget debate the fuel price protection arrangement was executed in 2025
as part of broader efforts to stabilise electricity costs and reduce consumers' exposure to volatile international energy markets. "In 2025, BPL executed a fuel price protection arrangement to safeguard our customers from market volatility and keep the price of fuel fixed," she said. "For clarity, BPL secured a fixed strike price of US$65 per barrel for one year. When international oil prices rise above that level, as they sharply have, our fuel costs remain constant."
COST - See Page B6
Bahamas Taxicab Union president Tyrone Butler, who earlier said taxi operators had not been consulted about the redevelopment plans despite the potential impact on drivers who service the area. “Well, we haven’t had any discussion with Minister Campbell or the Minister Transport Mr Lundy, so we don’t know what they’re thinking is, and they haven’t reached out to us to discuss the layout and the parking space for taxis,” Mr Butler said. “I have been waiting to meet with this minister now for a couple of weeks.”
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Golden Yolk’s quality justifies price, says minister Minister touts Golden Yolk’s quality and local benefits Egg initiative sales grow as officials push food security goals Poultry investment targets long-term food resilience BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
Mr Butler argued that transportation stakeholders are too often excluded from development planning. “Taxis have never been factored in none of the plans that the government seems to have,” he said. “Those kind of plans are taking place, and there’s nobody from the taxi union being involved in terms of the planning and layout. And that’s why you have so much chaos in the transportation business as it is.” The prospect of a formal taxi call-up system aligns with recommendations from
AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell yesterday defended the pricing and packagJOMO CAMPBELL ing of the government’s Golden Yolk eggs, arguing that the quality of the locally produced product more than justifies the cost over imported alternatives. His comments came after criticism arose over the product’s packaging and concerns that imported eggs remain cheaper than Golden Yolk eggs. “That may be the case, but the quality that we put into our locally produced eggs more than adequately justifies the cost,” Mr Campbell said. “We can assure the general public that our Golden Yolk eggs are 100 percent organic. Our chickens are raised on 100 percent organic feed. They’re not sitting on the dock for two weeks, there’s no chemicals involved and it’s all 100 percent Bahamian labour.” Responding to criticism about the appearance of the packaging, Mr Campbell said the focus should be on the quality of the product rather than its presentation. “It’s not the packaging or even the shells that make a difference,” he said. “It’s actually what’s inside, what benefits the Bahamian people, what goes towards health and wellness. “The packaging can always be repackaged, can always be recoloured, reshaped. But what we wanted to do was actually get the produce out to the people in time. We had chicks that were laying. We didn’t want to hold them back, and so we put them on the shelves.”
UPGRADE - See Page B4
QUALITY - See Page B5
PRICING - See Page B4
Taxi call-up for Arawak under discussion By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
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