NEWS ITEM ON HURRICANE EPSILON ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION AT 6 PM, SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2020.

…HIGH SURF AND RIP CURRENTS POSSIBLE ALONG ATLANTIC BEACHES THROUGH MONDAY…

The Prime Minister's speech today was sobering. The presentation highlighted the obvious and drew attention to a leader that has fumbled through the worst national crisis in our generation. It was sad to watch the Competent Authority face the nation without a comprehensive plan that enables us to coexist with COVID-19. Instead, a continuous cycle of opening, closing, relaxing and restricting has become the government’s preferred approach.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) acknowledges the magnitude of the challenges we face as a nation...

ALERT # 5 ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION THIRTEEN ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY, THURSDAY 20 TH AUGUST 2020, AT 9 PM EDT.

… REPORTS FROM HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT THE DEPRESSION IS NOT WELL ORGANIZED …

A TROPICAL STORM ALERT REMAINS IN EFFEC T FOR THE ISL ANDS OF THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS. THIS INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF INAGUA, MAYAGUANA...

Tonight, we listened with great interest to see what news the Prime Minister would bring to Bahamians, and to see what plans the government has in place to address the urgent health and economic crises currently facing our country.

I have been in close consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, and he has authorized me to issue the following statement.

The soaring number of COVID-19 infections in our country is full testament to the fact that the government’s approach is not working...

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 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.

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...

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.

Bahamians woke up to disturbing news coming out of Grand Bahama. We have been advised of terminations at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

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.

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.

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 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...

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.

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 Democratic National Alliance (DNA) believes that the Fourth Estate is essential to the sustenance and maturity of any democracy.

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.

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 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 have entered another month of 24 hour curfews and lockdowns.