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This week in the Bahamas Commentary by Elcott Coleby: Feb 15 - 19
By Elcott Coleby
Feb 19, 2016 - 4:03:44 PM

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A day in Parliament

The Bahamas Parliament met on Wednesday, 17th February 2016 for the first reading of a bill for an Act to amend the Bail Act and the second reading and committal of a bill to extend for a further period of three months, specific tax concessions of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA).

The first reading of the amendments to the Bail Act was delivered by National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage.

Prime Minister Christie led off the debate on the second reading of a bill to extend for a period of three months, specific tax concessions contained in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

In his preamble, the Prime Minister chronicled the state of the Freeport economy and in particular, the tourism industry, pointing out that the industry “was in severe decline with low hotel occupancies; a number of 8 hotels had closed and there was inadequate airlift.” Government subsidies to Grand Bahama in marketing support totaled $29 million. He said that the policy actions his government took such as the arrangements with Sunwing of Canada to renovate and re-open the closed Reef Hotel cut in half “the $29 million being spent annually in subsidies and marketing support.” This resulted in the renovation and opening of the Lighthouse Point Property, “a significant turnaround in tourism and the creation of more than a thousand jobs,” expansion in airlift and employment opportunities for Bahamians in the cruise ship industry said Mr. Christie

The Prime Minister outlined other initiatives undertaken by his government:

Negotiations with Hutchison and MSC to expand the container terminal and to provide them with the necessary assurance of continuing the concessions;
Proposal now under consideration from Carnival for the construction of a new cruise port in East Grand Bahama;

Re-negotiation of the exclusivity granted in 1994 to Freeport Harbour Company for the construction and operation of container and cruise ports in Grand Bahama;

$110 million investment in expansion and development of a Six Sense Resort at Deep Water Cay;

Enacted Stem Cell legislation and secured the completion and operation of Okyanos Treatment Center;

Actively encouraging new investors for the Ginn project in West End;
Major expansion of Pharmachem.

In insisting that there needed to be a paradigm shift in Grand Bahama with new leadership at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Mr. Christie again recounted the recommendations submitted to the Bahamas government by the HCA Review Committee ostensibly in exchange for extending the HCA tax concessions for another 20 years. The substantive recommendations included a new majority owner at the GBPA; a government seat on its board of directors; an equity interest by the government in the GBPA and PGL companies; a modern airport; deeper democracy for the port licensees including an appeals process; suitable partners for Hutchison Whampoa’s tourism assets and real property taxes on undeveloped properties.

Prime Minister Christie also outlined additional recommendations he said were designed to “increase the competitiveness of Grand Bahama as a location for global investment.” Those changes included the establishment of a one-stop-shop to manage all GBPA government approvals; the transfer of certain regulatory functions from the GBPA to public bodies; ongoing audits; improved labour and immigration matters; greater emphasis on skills training and the registration of land at the country’s public land registry.

“It has become abundantly clear that in order for the economy of Freeport to grow and develop in line with the original vision and purpose of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, large sums of new capital and top level management and promotion expertise are required to drive expansion of existing businesses and the introduction of new ones.” One such investor is the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) whom the Prime Minister met with last week in Geneva Switzerland. He characterized the meetings as “encouraging” and “fruitful” but was restricted in revealing the details of the negotiations at this time.

In concluding, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that in the ensuing three months his government will arrive at a successful conclusion to the HCA proposal that will lead to long-term growth and prosperity for Grand Bahama, a sound democratic environment, buttressed by international best business practices.

“We shall keep fully engaged in further negotiations in the ensuing months. With the assistance of our advisors and cooperation of stakeholders, we remain confident that we shall be able within the three-month extension contained within the Bill before us to bring the exercise to a successful conclusion, leading to sustained long-term growth and prosperity for Grand Bahama, within a sound democratic environment and in conformity with international best business practices” concluded Mr. Christie.


Prime Minister receives report on gender-based violence

Calling the report on gender-based violence a ‘landmark’ document, Bahamas Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie lauded the work of Commission and its chair, retired Justice Rubie Nottage.

Mr. Christie officially received the report and recommendations at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday morning during a press conference. The report listed ten programmes, dubbed “The Low Lying Fruit,” to be addressed early in the implementation phase.

The Prime Minister highlighted a few of the recommendations during his press briefing.

To “strengthen the family as a unit and empower the family to socialize our children” Mr. Christie announced the establishment of a Department of Family and Gender Affairs and that the plans for the Family Court System are well advanced.

The Prime Minister also foreshadowed a programme to address children exposed to domestic or community violence. This programme he said will be led by the Crisis Centre in partnership with the Ministries of Social Services and Community Development, National Security, Attorney General's Office, Education and Science, Health and Youth, Sports and Culture. He believed that this “early intervention programme will be essential in providing the necessary tools to help children process the emotional aftermath of their exposure to violence.”

Turning his attention to our men and boys, Prime Minister Christie announced the mentoring program called project “Reclaiming our Boys” that will initially focus on “the sensitization of men as champions for change. The project will focus on training programs for men to empower them with the skills to mentor our boys effectively during this critical period of their development” said the nation’s chief.

The report also recommended the establishment of the Gender Based Violence Authority (GBV), a statutory public private sector body to provide supervisory oversight to the projects. A GBV Secretariat will also be appointed.

All of the projects said the Prime Minister will be implemented in collaboration with six Ministries (Social Services & Community Development; National Security; Education, Science & Technology; Attorney General's Office; Health and Youth, Sports & Culture) and stakeholders that worked with the Task Force.


PHA signs $7.5 million contract for health infrastructure upgrade


The first of the $42.4 million allocated for health infrastructure upgrades ahead of NHI implementation was signed on Tuesday between the Public Hospital Authority (PHA), International Med-X and Ports International. The amount was $7.5 million.

The Bahamas government allocated $60 million in the 2014/2015 fiscal budget to launch a very “aggressive health system-strengthening program” said PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown.

The contract signed was for the supply of advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, including state-of-the-art MRI and CT scan machines.

Mr. Brown said that additionally, the PHA will invest heavily in the “human capacity” of the PHA. He pointed to the engagement of 28 medical doctors for assignment not only in the hospitals but in community health services. He estimated the cost to engage these doctors, nurses and other support staff to exceed $2 million.

He added that in a matter of weeks, the PHA will invite tenders for the physical upgrade of the Princess Margaret Hospital’s (PMH) maternity ward and later in the year, a $14 million upgrade to the Accident and Emergency facilities of the PMH.


Strachan eyes “economic residences”


“Attracting HNWIs and UHNWIs can be tied to investment, home ownership, business ownership, education, infrastructure, commodities or even corporate social responsibility.” This was the view expressed by Financial Services Minister the Hon. Hope Strachan as she delivered the keynote address this week during a luncheon hosted by the Bahamas branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) at the Hilton Hotel.

The Minister foreshowed amendments and improvements to the country’s immigration policy initiatives in the coming weeks to facilitate this financial services sector initiative. Minister Strachan was outlining the government’s expanded Economic Permanent Residency (EPR) Program designed to bolster the levels of foreign direct investment and cause for broad and far reaching economic growth opportunities in the country’s economy.

Strachan said that this expanded policy initiative was the result of widespread consultations with the financial services sector including the industry’s board, the BFSB.

“We have a meeting scheduled with BFSB and other stakeholders from the industry. So over the course of the next - I would say – two to three weeks, you should be hearing from us on the final immigration proposals.”

Under the current EPR program, applicants must invest in a home in The Bahamas valued at more than $500,000 or have beneficial interests in a growth category business in The Bahamas that supports the employment of Bahamians. The government is looking to expand on the requirements of this policy.


NHI draft bill released

On Thursday evening of this week, the Government of The Bahamas released the full text of the National Health Insurance Bahamas (NHI) draft Bill to the public for consultation.

This was done via the NHI Bahamas Secretariat.

One of the major changes to the legislation was the removal of the individual mandate.

In a press statement the Secretariat reiterated the Government’s commitment to “improving the health care system to position the nation as the healthiest country in the Caribbean region by the year 2030.”

One key milestone in this process is NHI Bahamas, established to provide care to legal Bahamian residents free of charge at point of service.

“A young woman will receive an ultrasound and care get for her newborn baby without having to pay for it. A construction worker will have tests done to screen for heart disease at no cost. A mother will get antibiotics from her primary care doctor for her sick children free of cost. All of these people live in our communities right now. We will all benefit from the services NHI Bahamas provides – and with no new tax to pay for it in the initial phases,” said Dr. Delon Brennen, NHI Project Manager.

The NHI draft legislation is a legal framework that ensures NHI Bahamas provides modern, affordable and accessible health care for legal Bahamian residents.

The Bill, in its draft form, will:

Repeal the NHI Act of 2007;

Implement the NHI Bahamas plan;

Establish the legal framework for NHI Bahamas; and

Establish the NHI Bahamas fund;


The NHI Bill will allow the Government to:

Establish the administrative framework and other necessary mechanisms to provide quality health care under NHI Bahamas that is modern, affordable and accessible for legal Bahamian residents;

Facilitate people-centred health care that meets the needs of our population;

Provide plurality with equal opportunity for public and private sector participation;

Promote efficiency in administrative operations; and

Enable sustainability through the appropriate allocation of resources.

The draft Bill was prepared by a working group comprised of technical experts within Government along with consultants in the public and private sectors.


Potters Cay vendors temporarily relocated

Apparent misinformation about the relocation of fruit and vegetable vendors at Potter’s Cay caused tempers to flare earlier this week ahead of planned maintenance work to be executed on the eastern Paradise Island bridge.

Agriculture Minister Hon. Alfred Gray called a press conference this week to clarify the misunderstanding by stating that there is in fact a plan for the vendors during the maintenance works. He pointed out that the relocation of the vendors will be within the precincts of Potter’s Cay and is only a temporary measure to accommodate the maintenance work. The government fully plans to return them to their original locations of business.

The government is in the midst of a redevelopment and refurbishment project at Potters Cay that promises to enhance its ambiance and customer experience while making it safer and better organized for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.


Fresh Start participants graduate


The venue was the Super Club Breezes and the host was the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture. One of the ministry’s youth development programs, Fresh Start, graduated 62 participants on Wednesday evening.

Prime Minister Christie, the keynote speaker, congratulated and encouraged the cohort of young graduates, sharing with them a very moving account of his own struggles in school that did not deter him from becoming an achiever, but instead steered his life towards overcoming and accomplishment.

The young people, challenged by various issues including not finishing high school, underwent a programme of personal development and job readiness to put them on a stronger footing. Of the 62 graduates, 38 of them have already secured gainful employment.


Cubans detainees ordered released

Cuban refugees Carlos Pupo and Lazaro Seara Marin are free men today after being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Center and the Department of Corrections for over two years. The men were arrested in 2013 for illegally landing in Abaco and Andros respectively.

Commissioner Wright of the Department of Corrections did not object to defense attorney Fred Smith applying for the men’s release. Justice Stephen Isaacs subsequently granted the release, awarding the men their freedom and court costs.

Pupo and Marin were among a group of Cubans who claimed that they were abused by Detention Center authorities after they were captured during an attempted escape from the Carmichael Road Detention Center back in May 2013.

Attempts by the Bahamas Foreign Ministry to secure their return to Cuba and a third party country pursuant to international law were not successful.



Bahamas Foreign Minister responds to release of Cuban detainees

One day after Bahamas Supreme Court Justice Stephen Isaacs released two Cuban detainees held for more than two years, Foreign Minister the Hon. Fred Mitchell responded to the court’s decision in a press statement:

“The Department of Immigration takes the position that these individuals are a national security risk. We continue to support that position. Those were the clear instructions from our principals at the highest levels to pursue that position.

“Those instructions did not change and were not changed.”

He indicated that he has asked for an investigation into the court’s decision, given the “cogent” evidence of the government that the men are a security risk.

“All of our border forces have been notified to the potential risk of these individuals being out in the general community and should be so warned” said Mr. Mitchell.

He also said that he will present a full report to the House on Wednesday 24 February.


Fugitive Leon back behind bars

Convicted murderer Orman Leon, 26, is back behind bars after making good his escape two weeks ago (February 2nd) from a prison bus while in police custody. He was captured at a home on Firetrail Road late Wednesday night by the Selective Strike Team of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Leon was convicted for his role in the 2011 execution style murder of Francisco Hanna.

He was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner to 41.5 years at the Department of Corrections.

Sharlene Stubs, the female occupant of the Firetrail house, is facing jail time for harbouring a fugitive.



About the author: Elcott Coleby is a Deputy Director at the Bahamas Information Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (B.Sc) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). He provides frequent commentary on public policy and communicates the works of the government. Address all comments to the following email: egcoleby44@gmail.com


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