The recently released WTO Impact Assessment produced by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation provided some insights that reinforced widely held concerns by Bahamians. In general terms, the Report did not reveal concerns that had not been expressed by the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) in our position paper on the WTO released in January of this year nor by diverse local commentators and observers albeit it did go into more details on the potential impact of WTO accession on the Bahamian economy. High energy costs, inefficiency of government agencies...

Response To Nine-month Fiscal Snapshot
The more fiscal snapshots the government releases, the clearer the picture of failed policy and bad administration by this government becomes.

It is astounding to learn that the government is $1 billon away from its annualized revenue target with only three months left in the fiscal year.

It’s inconceivable that this administration budgeted so poorly...

The PLP offers its condolences to the family of Petty Officer Philip Perpall, the marine fatally shot this morning on the grounds of Government House

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is deeply concerned by the news of the gruesome murder of a Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marine at Government House earlier today.

The Prime Minister suddenly found traffic cop religion last week when he responded to the United States Government’s warning about road traffic fatalities. The Prime Minister said that he would support a change in the laws on traffic fatalities. It is interesting how the Prime Minister ignores the pleas of Bahamians, but as soon as the United States says something, he jumps.

Over the week, social media widely circulated a video which seemed to show that a Bahamian citizen, a male of minor age, was brutalized in an interface with U S Policemen, by those policemen. 

Chester Cooper, PLP Deputy Leader, Exumas and Ragged Island MP, Shadow Minister Of Finance:

What is clear from the latest International Monetary Fund Staff Concluding Statement of the 2019 Article IV Mission and the government’s response to it is that nothing delights the minister of finance more than making the IMF and credit ratings agencies happy.

The reality on the ground for most Bahamians is harshly different than the rosy picture the government would wish to paint...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its recently released statement following discussions on the 2019 Article IV consultation provided confirmed observations that have been made by Bahamian experts over the years.

Following upon the statement of the party on the weekend about the hypocrisy of the FNM Public Service Minister’s statement about the rehiring of those disengaged who worked on contract, the PLP has been flooded with reports that the FNM Minister has not been frank with the Bahamian public about the government's rehiring practices.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is of the belief that the future prosperity of The Bahamas hinges on the education and economic empowerment of our people. It is our position that the Bahamian youth must be at the center of government policies, initiatives and programs. Our education system cannot be tainted by politics or a reluctance to implement a real governance platform.

We are calling on all school administrators, especially those within the public sector to stand up for their teachers and ensure that all rules are enforced. The requisite focus must be placed on ensuring that there are no compromises in the application of rules and regulations within our education system...

The recent announcement by the President of the University of The Bahamas (UB) that tuition fees will be increasing beginning in the Fall of 2019 took many by surprise.  Additionally, the revelations that the costs for attending UB were up to approximately $30k for a UB student were also startling.  Many were alarmed by the President’s announcement considering the fact that the Prime Minister had on many occasions promised that tuition at UB would be free for Bahamian students – a campaign promise which the current administration has failed to deliver on.

It is imperative that our societal leaders craft policies and programs that will create a path that is clear to the middle class for Bahamians from all walks of life to ensure our nation's economic prosperity...

It appears as if the Free National Movement government has embarked upon a policy of score settling, political victimization and alienation of competent Bahamian professionals.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) welcomes any news or initiative with the potential to boost the Bahamian economy. We are hopeful that the long-suffering people of Grand Bahama will finally get some relief and a much-needed economic stimulus imminently.

The Young Democrats Alliance (YDA) is saddened by the recent violence at the T.A. Thompson Junior High School which resulted in the death of a student. Another promising life has been cut short by a senseless killing on our streets.

We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the parents, immediate and school family of the student that was fatally stabbed earlier today. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

This unfortunate incident brings to mind a similar stabbing at the Doris Johnson High School some time ago and it is heartbreaking to see history repeating itself...

Statement by Hon. Philip Brave Davis:

The PLP is very concerned about the prolonged delay in regularizing postal services in New Providence and the negative impact this is having on postal workers, businesses, the general public and the economy at large.

The recent announcement by the European Union (EU) that The Bahamas remains on its grey list and has not been blacklisted is a welcomed development. This follows the removal of The Bahamas from the EU blacklist to the grey list in May 2018 after the government made several commitments to carry out reforms.

The Government of transparency and openness has once again failed the test of openness and transparency and flubbed the example of open government.  

Hard on the heels of the fake and phony Oban deal, the Prime Minister sat in secret and signed the Disney deal last Thursday 7 March.  No cameras or outsiders were allowed save for the government's minders and mouthpieces...

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has long advocated for reform within our energy sector to reduce the cost of doing business and its negative impact on the disposable income of Bahamians. The pain and suffering placed on the backs of the masses by the current administration as a result of the 60% increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate has further worsened the financial situation of most Bahamians.

The Free National Movement (FNM) opposed the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) while in opposition and described the introduction on taxes on the Bahamian people as a lazy approach to governance. In true fashion and living up to their reputation as hypocrites, they increased the VAT rate by 60% on the backs of the struggling masses.