Bahamian Politics
DNA: Emergency Order blunder shows leadership crisis -
Jun 29, 2020 - 6:20:13 PM
The admission of fault by the Attorney General that his and his office’s
oversight will unceremoniously end at midnight is noted. The AG joins
the former FNM Minister of Health in accepting full responsibility for a
major blunder on a national level.
The Democratic National
Alliance (DNA) is concerned about the level of competence of the
Competent Authority, the Leader of Government Business in the House of
Assembly, the AG and the various members of the Cabinet who ought to
know better...
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Government's mixed message on opening borders -
Jun 28, 2020 - 10:20:07 PM
The Prime Minister’s national address on the eve of the opening of The
Bahamas’ borders to international travel was long, repetitive and
confusing. As we have come to expect, the PM in his capacity as
Competent Authority basked in his powers while issuing threats to the
Bahamian people.
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has
highlighted the inconsistencies, contradictions and mixed messages
contained in the PM's speeches. The latest commentary...
Bahamian Politics
DNA calls for one month delay in the reopening of international borders -
Jun 28, 2020 - 7:25:40 PM
With a July 1 deadline looming, The Bahamas stands on the brink of a
decision that will undoubtedly alter the developmental course of the
country. For months now, countries and jurisdictions around the world
have continued to struggle with the far-reaching implications of the
Coronavirus Pandemic. The deadly disease has claimed millions of lives,
shut down once-vibrant economies, and sent millions of workers to the
unemployment line...
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Moody’s downgrade no surprise -
Jun 26, 2020 - 10:53:56 AM
The recent announcement that The Bahamas has been downgraded by Moody’s
is unfortunate but comes as no surprise. The path to non-investment
grade or junk status has been paved by successive administrations led by
both the FNM and PLP. We did not get here overnight; our rating got
progressively worse and the proverbial chickens have come home to roost.
It
is common knowledge that our nation was downgraded three (3) times
under the previous FNM administration and four (4) times under the PLP
administration between the years 2007 and 2017...
Bahamian Politics
DNA on Grand Lucayan Terminations -
Jun 25, 2020 - 8:20:51 PM
Bahamians woke up to disturbing news coming out of Grand Bahama. We have
been advised of terminations at the Grand Lucayan Resort.
This
comes after the government has spent over $100 million dollars of the
taxpayers' funds to purchase and operate this resort. We hope this is
not true. Grand Bahama has been neglected by successive administrations
and Grand Bahamians have suffered for years...
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Cyber security must be national priority -
Jun 22, 2020 - 4:06:43 PM
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has given the government
extensive recommendations to strengthen the Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) of The Bahamas. We recognize that the
future success of our nation hinges on innovation, creativity,
commitment, determination and diversification undergirded by a strong
ICT platform.
Reports that the Registrar General’s Department
(RGD) has once again been the target of hacking attempts is a national
embarrassment...
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Unanswered questions about Dorian and Hurricane Season -
Jun 16, 2020 - 1:15:56 PM
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has repeatedly called on the
government to develop a comprehensive plan for disaster risk management.
We took the government to task on the mismanagement of the immediate
response and evacuation of residents of Grand Bahama (GB) and Abaco.
Recent
commentaries by the former Minister of Health on the handling of the
Hurricane Dorian disaster has brought these mishaps to light once again...
Bahamian Politics
DNA Leader on 2020 Randol Fawkes Labour Day -
Jun 5, 2020 - 4:47:01 PM
On the occasion of the 2020 Randol Fawkes Labour Day, the Democratic
National Alliance (DNA) pays tribute to workers across the length and
breadth of The Bahamas.
The Bahamian people are the greatest
resource of our nation. The blood, sweat and tears of our compatriots
both past and present have built the economy of The Bahamas we see
today. We will not forget the journey from the Burma Road Riot...
Bahamian Politics
I. Chester Cooper MP on data breach at the Registrar General Department -
Jun 1, 2020 - 8:50:09 PM
The Progressive Liberal Party notes with grave concern the statement
from the attorney general today on the “hacking” into of the database at
the Registrar General’s Department.
The availability of data upon the payment of a search fee is not the issue.
The issue is the lack of security that enabled the data base to be hacked.
This
was exacerbated by the failure of the security system to immediately,
in January, notify the authorities that the data base had been hacked...
Bahamian Politics
DNA: Budget 2020/21: A Narrow Focus on a Crisis -
May 29, 2020 - 9:10:11 AM
The Budget Communication for the 2020/21 fiscal year was the most
sobering and historic one for the wrong reasons, in modern Bahamian
history. Our nation is facing a record deficit of $1.3B, government
revenue is expected to fall by about $1B and government debt is expected
to rise to $9.5B while the unemployment rate is projected to exceed
30%. Simply put, we are in an economic crisis and there is an urgent
need for a bold vision.
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
submits that the focus of the new budget ought to be the mitigation of
the projected 15-19%...
Bahamian Politics
YDA laments Plight of Less Privileged and Youth -
May 21, 2020 - 3:10:16 PM
As President of the Young Democrats Alliance of the DNA, I am baffled
and disappointed with the treatment of the youth and less privileged in
our society. It is sad that the government has perpetuated an
oppressive system and have used the law against the less fortunate and
hopeless during this global pandemic – COVID-19
The YDA submits
that this government has failed to create an adequate safety net for the
most vulnerable citizens in our society. Additionally...
Bahamian Politics
DNA Blasts Bullying of Medical Chief and Media -
May 21, 2020 - 10:55:36 AM
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) believes that the Fourth Estate
is essential to the sustenance and maturity of any democracy.
For
weeks now, the Bahamian people and the media have been looking for the
Prime Minister to answer serious allegations against him and his
government. The PM has been avoiding everyone to avoid having to face
the public but decided to grant an exclusive interview to the
government-owned television station...
Bahamian Politics
DNA Questions Preparedness for 2020 Hurricane Season -
May 11, 2020 - 9:40:38 AM
We are exactly three weeks away from the start of the 2020 Hurricane
Season. According to forecasters and predictions, the upcoming hurricane
season will be above average in terms of tropic activity, number of
storms and major storms.
It is sad that many families still don’t
have closure from Hurricane Dorian as the remains of their loved ones
remain in a container in Abaco while we may never know the real number
of persons that perished in that storm...
Bahamian Politics
DNA slams another EU Blacklisting of The Bahamas -
May 6, 2020 - 1:45:16 PM
According to media reports, the European Union (EU) is set to include
The Bahamas on an adverse list of countries that pose financial risks to
the EU due to weaknesses in our anti-money laundering and terrorist
financing framework.
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
condemns this course of action by the EU in the midst of a major public
health and economic crisis facing our nation and world at large...
Bahamian Politics
DNA calls for independent probe -
May 5, 2020 - 12:44:44 PM
The Bahamian people have been subject to a roller coaster based on the
events surrounding the breach of the Emergency Powers Order involving
permanent residents who donated COVID-19 test swabs. ’The double
standard which has left Bahamians stranded abroad and subject to
restrictive rules while others have been punished for breaking rules has
resulted in an outrage within the nation.
We submit that the
Minister of Health could not have acted alone and the government must be
made to account for the involvement of various Ministers or ministries
in this fiasco...
Bahamian Politics
DNA Leader: Stop treating Bahamians as second class citizens -
May 1, 2020 - 3:50:14 PM
We have entered another month of 24 hour curfews and lockdowns.
Let
me begin by saluting all essential workers in the healthcare,
pharmaceutical, banking, security, uniformed branches, retail and other
sectors for their selfless service. A grateful nation and people
appreciate all you do and the sacrifice you make daily. Know that we
continue to pray for you.
I was glad to hear that almost all of the 200 health professionals exposed to COVID-19 tested negative for the virus...
Bahamian Politics
FNM: Minnis administration continues to lead with quarantine measures & planning a reopening -
Apr 29, 2020 - 8:34:38 AM
The Free National Movement issued the following statement regarding the
Prime Minister’s update on quarantine measures and plans to reopen the
country:
“Our Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, continues to
show true leadership as he brings the country together to fight the
coronavirus. From day one – as a medical doctor – he understood the
potential severity of this deadly virus and worked to closely monitor
its spread...
Bahamian Politics
FNM: While PM Minnis leads, Davis and Mitchell play political games -
Apr 20, 2020 - 9:12:41 PM
While our Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, is working tirelessly to
unite our country in its fight against the unprecedented COVID-19
pandemic, the PLP’s leaders, Philip Brave Davis and Fred Mitchell, seem
united in their effort to continue their regular petty politics throwing
out a steady stream of nonsensical political attacks at every turn.
When
the health and livelihood of Bahamians is under jeopardy, the Prime
Minister is taking firm action to implement the proper steps to save
lives and bring the country together...
Bahamian Politics
DNA Leader admonishes Government on COVID-19 -
Apr 20, 2020 - 1:37:29 PM
Good morning.
This is Arinthia S. Komolafe – Leader of the DNA.
It is Monday, April 20, 2020 and another 24 hour curfew has begun.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit The Bahamas and the Bahamian people hard.
We
have seen businesses close and people laid off from work week after
week. Businesses have found it difficult to survive without any income...
Bahamian Politics
FNM: As bahamians unite, The PLP launches political attacks -
Apr 16, 2020 - 8:04:56 PM
The Free National Movement issued the following statement regarding the
PLP’s growing efforts to score political points during a global
pandemic:
“Sadly, even as the rest of the country comes
together to fight the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the PLP leaders
see this crisis as a time to score political points. Quick to publicly
criticize at the outset of the crisis, Brave Davis and his top deputy
have returned from the shadows to launch coordinated political attacks
under the guise of leadership...