business@tribunemedia.net
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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‘Zero political will’ to slim $1bn civil service BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A FORMER Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that the major political parties “aren’t remotely interested” in reversing the ever-increasing size of government and its $1bn civil service because the cost has yet to overwhelm or outrage Bahamians. Dionisio D’Aguilar, former minister of tourism and aviation in the Minnis administration, told Tribune Business there will be zero political will to arrest the public sector’s continual growth until the level of taxation required to finance and support it hits a tipping point beyond which
Ex-Cabinet minister admits Gov’t ‘form of employment agency’
Growing bureaucracy: Firms take longer to reach ‘promised land’
Voter change appetite ‘not there by any means’ as taxes, costs rise
Bahamians start to push back and resist. Describing the civil service as “a form of employment agency”, at least in the eyes of successive administrations, he added that The Bahamas appears far away from any such correction despite the negative impact on private sector growth, productivity and ease of doing business
caused by the continually expanding bureaucracy. Speaking after this newspaper revealed that total compensation paid to the Bahamian civil service will breach the $1bn mark for the first time in the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal period, with its ranks having expanded by 2,342 persons over the past four years, Mr D’Aguilar pointed out that thousands of officials
and their families benefit from the current system and will be resistant to any change that threatens their well-being. And, with many seeking government posts because of the perceived greater job security and better employee benefits, the ex-minister conceded that it will be extremely difficult to change this culture and mindset unless Bahamians
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DIONISIO D’AGUILAR
“demand better service and there are consequences” for officials who do not deliver. Mr D’Aguilar, in the aftermath of the 2026-2027 Budget debate in the House of Assembly, said “nobody seems to be interested in reducing spending; it’s how do we raise revenues” as the Davis administration targets a $470m revenue increase for the 2026-2027 fiscal period to around $4.4bn despite this year’s collection pace lagging 2024-2025.
And wages, salaries and NIB contributions on behalf of public officials remain the largest line item in the Government’s recurrent spending, which represents its fixed operating costs for a single Budget period. They are projected to account for 27.2 percent of all recurrent expenditure in 2026-2027, which means more than $1 out of every $4 spent by the Government - or over one-quarter of its $3.724bn fixed costs
SHRINK - See Page B4
Port targeting up to 15% Sands: Gov’t increase from dock fees ‘completely uneashed’ over Maritime regulator Aims to boost Dock’s Also eyeing new also pursuing berthing capacity head offices, staff Potter’s Cay overhaul 20% in two years growth, salary rises
MICHAEL PINTARD
Parliament watchdog set to be ‘relentless’ amid ‘handicap’ bid BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s leader yesterday pledged that Parliament’s spending watchdog will be “relentless” and “very aggressive” in seeking answers for the Bahamian people on how their tax dollars are being spent while asserting that government “stalling tactics” will not work. Michael Pintard told Tribune Business the Government’s attempts to “handicap” the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the only parliamentary committee on which the Opposition has the majority, will not succeed as he branded the promise of increased collaboration by the Auditor General’s Office “crucial” to ensuring greater transparency and accountability over how the Bahamian people’s money is used. The Government’s internal financial watchdog, in its just-released 2026-2027 annual plan, pledged to work more closely with its House of Assembly counterpart by increasing its briefings of the latter on various investigations into government ministries, agencies and departments from zero last year to seven by 2029. The increase is designed to boost transparency and accountability, and ensure Bahamian taxpayers receive value for money, by “strengthening collaboration” with Parliament and, in particular, a Public Accounts Committee that acts as the latter’s watchdog over government spending. “We believe that it is absolutely critical, particularly since it coincides with increased meetings by the Committee itself,” Mr Pintard told this newspaper of the Auditor General’s plan to increase briefings of the Public Accounts Committee in the upcoming fiscal years. “We have had two meetings thus far, and intend to increase that number. “This would be really critical with increased concerns being expressed by civil society and members of the public in general with respect to the management of the public finances. We believe more intimate involvement with the Auditor General’s Office is crucial in this regard. “We are looking forward to greater information sharing and feedback from the reports they have gotten - both the
SCRUTINY - See Page B4
BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Port Department is aiming to boost “revenue collection efficiency” through obtaining 90 percent of all dock-related fees due to the Government in the upcoming fiscal year while increasing income from this source “by at least 10-15 percent” via rate changes. The agency, in its 20262027 annual plan that was released alongside the Government’s Budget for the new fiscal year that starts next Wednesday, is pledging to review, reform and increase all harbour-related fees and dock levies as well as improve operations at Potter’s Cay Dock. The plan, which has been seen by Tribune Business, promised to complete a review of all harbour fees within three to six months and then submit proposed changes to the Government for approval within six to eight months. Its goals also include increasing
“revenue from public docks by at least 10-15 percent within 12 months of implementation”. The Port Department’s dock fee ambitions are tied to its targets to “modernise operations at Potter’s Cay Dock”. This involves completing “at least 80 percent of planned infrastructure upgrades within 18 months” and a 20 percent expansion of berthing capacity at the facility, located on Nassau Harbour under the Paradise Island ‘off’ bridge, inside two years. Other Potter’s Cay-related targets involve the attainment of “80 percent compliance with cargo and container stowage standards within 12 months” plus a 90 percent collection rate for all dock fees due to the Government by the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Seabed leases, which will now attract a price tag of $5,000 per acre for industrial use, and $3,000 per acre in annual payments for tourism and other commercial uses, based on reforms accompanying
‘Far too easy’ to get key fishing licences BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN fishermen yesterday demanded tougher regulation, more consistent enforcement and greater accountability, with industry leaders arguing that weak oversight is undermining both the industry’s sustainability and longterm business growth. Speaking during a discussion on the maritime or ‘blue’ economy, Paul Maillis, secretary of the National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas (NFA), said while barriers to entering the sector remain high, obtaining a commercial fishing or charter licence requires little demonstration of competency, creating an environment where operators can enter the
the Government’s Budget, have also attracted the Port Department’s attention. Its annual plan, dated May 27, 2026, the same day on which the Budget was unveiled, promises to seek approval of a new fee schedule within three months. And it is aiming to complete the “transition of 50 percent of existing lease files” from the Department of Lands and Surveys to itself within the next year, as well as increase the number of users for its long-awaited online digital application portal from the present zero to 1,000-plus by the end of the upcoming 20262027 fiscal year. It wants to have 65 percent of all permit and fee payment applications submitted in electronic form within the next 12 months. The Port Department’s annual plans also reveals it is seeking to relocate its offices, aiming to “identify and secure” an appropriate site within the next nine to 12 months, as well as
SAILING - See Page B5
sector without sufficient knowledge of laws, safety standards or sustainable practices. “I believe that it is far too easy to get what you need,” Mr Maillis said. “Anybody can walk into the Department of Marine Resources with a Business Licence and, really, they can get a commercial fishing licence, they can get a charter fishing licence. But what basic level of competency is being demonstrated to ensure that this person is going to be adhering to the rules, regulations, laws and best practices?” He argued that licensing should require applicants to demonstrate knowledge of fishing regulations, marine protected area (MPAs), vessel safety requirements and crew management, adding that the absence of such standards leaves regulators with little ability to hold operators accountable. Mr Maillis also criticised what he described as uneven enforcement across The Bahamas, adding that operators based in Nassau often face regular inspections while those in some Family Islands may go years without any oversight. “You can’t have somebody who operates out of Nassau, where the Port Authority is getting checked
CATCH - See Page B4
spending
BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s chairman yesterday asserted that the Government is acting as if it is “completely unleashed” over spending taxpayer monies as he challenged how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ $34m plan for DR DUANE SANDS a new Nassau head office and London upgrades will benefit ordinary citizens. Dr Duane Sands, responding to Tribune Business revelations on the strategy set out in the ministry’s just-disclosed 2026-2027 annual plan, questioned why it was proposing such expenditure when critical public services such as healthcare are struggling for financing. Describing the plan’s contents as unsurprising, he said: “I think they are now completely unleashed; I could go so far as to say unhinged. They idea they have an overwhelming mandate to spend away the people’s money is clearly what they intend on doing. “You’re spending $14m on the London Chancery (Bahamas High Commission building), but cannot find the money for ambulances and fire trucks, you cannot find the money to build a shelter for women, you cannot find the money to do things that benefit the lives of ordinary Bahamians, but yet
EXPENDITURE - See Page B5