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Bahamas: Letters to the Editor: The crisis of the Bahamian economy

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Letters to the Editor: The crisis of the Bahamian economy

Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) Leader Cassius Stuart.

Dear Editor,

In his 2020/2021 budget communication, the prime minister outlined in the approved budget section that the current GDP stands at $11.5 billion. According to his numbers, this represents an 11.6 percent decrease from the previous period. On the other hand, data from the Department of Statistics contradicts this initial assessment. A statement released by the Department of Statistics on May 21, 2021 indicated that the Bahamian economy contracted sharply by 24.7 percent in normal terms and by 14.5 percent in the real terms. It said that the current GDP in real terms now stands at $9.665 billion. This paints a much grimmer picture than what the prime minister would have the Bahamian people to believe.

Considering another aspect, if we rely on the information provided by the Department of Statistics, which states that our debt is $9.506.8 billion and the current GDP in real term stands at $ 9.665 billion, then our debt-to-GDP ratio is 1:1. Further, it is projected that our debt will continue to increase and reach as high as $12 billion by the end of the fiscal period 2021. This will result in a GDP ratio that is negative. This is a dangerous financial position for our country to be in and if we do not fix it, we will “fall” off the economic cliff.

Fellow Bahamians, not only are we compromised by the excessive level of debt being laid upon us, I ask you to consider more deeply the factors of our GDP, which is the measure of productivity in our country. During the current fiscal period 2020/2021, The Bahamas will experience a $900 million recurring deficit because of the reduction in revenue in the same period and the increase in public debt servicing to the tune of $397 million. In fact, according to the Department of Statistics, over the period of 2019/2020, The Bahamas experienced a decrease in every industry except financial services and insurances. While these two industries saw a positive net gain, our most significant industry, the hotel and food industry, saw a decline of 71 percent in total value to the tune of $820 million and the aviation industry saw a 70 percent decrease in total value to the tune of $115 million. This is understandable, in part due to the impact of the pandemic, but where I cry shame and lament is in the lack of vision on the part of this administration! This government has done very little to stimulate or even promote alternative industries in our country so that masses of Bahamians could start to pull themselves up from in the midst of the destabilization of the world economies.

Equally appalling to me is the lack of attention successive governments have paid to the literal health of our people. Undoubtedly, and I am sure you will agree, that the dynamism of our economy is underpinned by the human resources of our nation. While we grapple with tools to move our economy forward, we cannot neglect to raise the alarm and create policy that address the level of sickness and death we experience as a people. According to the Diabetic Association of The Bahamas, The Bahamas presently has 155,000 people diagnosed with diabetes. This number represents 40 percent of the nation’s population. What is even more frightening about this statistic is that diabetes is not the number one killer of Bahamians, hypertension is. According to the world health ranking, The Bahamas is ranked eighth in the world in prostate cancer, 11th in hypertension and sixth in breast cancer. This is indeed a crisis.

Fellow Bahamians, we are in a fight for our financial freedom and in a fight literally for our lives. If our country is to see the “light of day” again, we must address the decay of both our economy and our health with the same degree of criticalness and urgency. If not, there will not be a thriving and healthy Bahamas for our children to inherit.

Cassius Stuart

Leader, Bahamas Democratic Movement

  • To have your letter to the editor published, email eyewitnessbahamas@gmail.com. Please note letters should be under 500 words and refrain from using profanity, slurs or otherwise offensive language.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/letters-to-the-editor-the-crisis-of-the-bahamian-economy

 

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Bahamas – Hit-and-Run: “They did not stop; not even for a second”

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HIT-AND-RUN: “They did not stop; not even for a second”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Individuals who claimed to have witnessed a woman and child being struck by a speeding vehicle shortly after 5pm on Abaco on Tuesday said the driver did not stop “for a second” after nearly killing the pair.

A graphic video of the incident was widely circulating on social media, showing the woman holding the child’s hand as they both walked along the side of the road.

At least two cars can be seen passing the two pedestrians before a silver vehicle suddenly speeds past, hitting the woman from behind, sending her flying into the air and pushing her out of the frame.

The child could still be seen moving at the end of the video.

Police said the child was being held at the Marsh Harbour Clinic and the woman was flown into New Providence for further medical attention.

Both were last listed in serious but stable condition.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said she was in a nearby store when she heard a loud bang.

“I looked out the window and saw the child standing on the side of the road, then I saw the mother lying in the grass and we all ran outside to see what happened,” she said.

“That’s when we realized it was a hit-and-run.”

She noted police were immediately called but did not answer, so calls were then placed to the Marsh Harbour Health Centre and EMS.

The emergency services arrived about 15 minutes later, said the good Samaritan.

She said she stayed and looked after the woman, who was “visibly in distress but conscious the whole time”, and the child, who did not appear seriously hurt.

The Abaco resident insisted the driver in the vehicle did not stop.

“Not even for a second,” she said.

“It was a very shocking ordeal. I just couldn’t believe someone would do that and not stop”.

Police said yesterday a Haitian man and woman, residents of Dundas Town, have been taken into custody in relation to the incident.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/hit-and-run-they-did-not-stop-not-even-for-a-second

 

 

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Bahamas: CONFIDENCE: Wilchcombe says West GB and Bimini will make the “right choice” at the polls

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CONFIDENCE: Wilchcombe says West GB and Bimini will make the “right choice” at the polls

Former minister eager to “continue the work I started in the constituency” 

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday he is confident he will win the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat in the upcoming general election.

Wilchcombe was among seven candidates to be ratified by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Wednesday night during an outdoor meeting on the grounds of the Sir Lynden Pindling Center.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, the former Cabinet minister said: “I am certainly humbled and I am overjoyed for the opportunity to continue the work that I started in the constituency. It’s a refreshing feeling.”

Wilchcombe noted the overwhelming support from the voters in the PLP branches was among the reasons he chose to reenter the political race.

“I am confident that the people of The Bahamas will make the right choice in terms of assessing where they are today and where they were five years ago,” he said.

“I think they will look at where they want to go and, depending upon the message, we have to have the message and the message must be about the economic future of the country.”

Wilchcombe noted there is currently “abject poverty” in the constituency, with “too many” people unemployed.

“After hurricanes and disasters, they are still wondering when they will get relief,” he continued.

“There are too many opportunities that are being denied from the Bahamian people in the constituency.”

He furthered that there are several projects the PLP government started that have had no movement to date, including a school on Bimini and administrative complexes on Bimini and in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.

“There are things that we left in place to be done and extensions from those things that were supposed to serve as economic anchors for the various areas and yet it hasn’t happened,” he added.

“So, I believe what the people want, they want to see the things happening for the area. They want to remain in the areas, they want to work in the areas, they want opportunities in the areas.”

The former Cabinet minister, who served as an MP for the area between 2012 and 2017, lost his seat to the Free National Movement’s (FNM) Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe in the last general election.

While Parker-Edgecombe received 2,638 votes, Wilchcombe got 2,375 votes — a difference of 263 votes.

The PLP was crushed at the polls in the 2017 election, capturing just four seats in the House compared to the FNM’s 35.

Wilchcombe ran for deputy leader of the PLP in 2009 and lost to Philip Brave Davis, who later became leader of the party after former Prime Minister Perry Christie resigned following the last general election.

The former tourism minister also challenged PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell at the party’s last national convention in 2019 and lost.

At the time, he offered his support to Davis and PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper, both of whom ran unopposed.

The other newly ratified candidates included Patricia Deveaux for Bamboo Town; Curt G Hollingsworth for Marco City; Leon Lundy for Mangrove Cay and South Andros; Ginger Moxey for Pineridge; James Rolle-Turner for East Grand Bahama; and Kirk Russell for Central Grand Bahama.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/confidence-obie-wilchcombe-former-minister-of-tourism-says-west-grand-bahama-gb-and-bimini-will-make-the-right-choice-at-the-polls-in-next-general-election

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Bahamas: Teachers are fearful amid COVID cases, says BUT president

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Teachers are fearful amid COVID cases, says BUT president

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson yesterday urged education officials to shore up health and safety protocols in public schools as positive cases of COVID-19 continue to pop up among the student and staff population.

According to the union, cases have been confirmed at Thelma Gibson Primary, Sadie Curtis Primary, Uriah McPhee Primary, Gambier Primary and Government High School

“As the COVID-19 positive cases rise again, New Providence schools have students and teachers that are testing positive,” Wilson told Eyewitness News.

She continued: “Again, the Bahamas Union of Teachers is urging the Ministry of Education to ensure that safety protocols are being followed.

Wilson expressed concern about protocols within schools surrounding suspected cases.

“Once there is a suspected case(s) the time period is too long before teachers are informed,” she said.

“Teachers are still not being informed in a timely manner about confirmed cases.

The BUT president also expressed concern that teachers, who are frequently tested, must do so at their own expense.

Wilson also said time spent in quarantine has been deducted from normal sick leave, a practice she called unfair.

“Teachers are fearful for their health,” she continued

“A concern now that many students, even some entire grade levels, are in quarantine and teachers are also in quarantine.

“The concern of teacher shortage was expressed in at least one school.

“The Bahamas Union of Teachers will continue to monitor this situation and we are in frequent communication with the shop stewards and union representatives at the various schools.”

As of April 20, Director of Education Marcellus Taylor advised that there had been 15 to 20 suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in public schools across New Providence.

He assured that there was a stringent protocol to follow with suspected and confirmed cases.

Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd has also said he had “no concern at all” that an outbreak could occur at schools open for face-to-face learning.

The majority of schools offer face-to-face and virtual learning on a rotational basis.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/teachers-are-fearful-amid-covid-cases-says-but-president

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Bahamas – “WE DID IT”: Ministry of Education and partners achieve goal to put devices in hands of every public school student

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“WE DID IT”: Ministry of Education and partners achieve goal to put devices in hands of every public school student

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Education (MOE) expressed gratitude to public/private partners who participated in a national initiative for the provision of devices and data plans for public school students.

In September 2020, with an initial contribution of $60,000, Leno Corporate Services Limited launched a campaign in conjunction with the MOE, to put a learning device in the hands of students who were in need of a laptop or computer.

Since then, numerous businesses, service clubs, individuals and other entities have contributed to the drive, resulting in more than $500,000 in donations and financial contributions.

At a ceremony to mark the final presentation of tablets through the Leno Learning Link partnership on Friday, Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd thanked Founder and CEO of Leno Sean K Longley for his vision and generosity in helping the ministry and country put a device in the hands of every public school student who needed one.

He also recognized the partners, corporate sponsors, individual donors, organizations and NGOs who contributed.

He expressed appreciation to those who have enabled the MOE to make this “indispensable” tool a part of the current toolkit in education in The Bahamas.

Lorraine Armbrister, permanent secretary, underscored that although the campaign was ending, the door is not closed for donations.

Director of Education Marcellus Taylor said in great measure, Longley’s leadership, altruism and support of education in the time of crisis has helped to bring out the best in the Bahamian society.

“So many entities have stepped up to help in this endeavor to ensure that our students get what they need in order to continue their education,” he said.

Representatives of some of the campaign sponsors attended the event.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/we-did-it-ministry-of-education-and-partners-achieve-goal-to-put-devices-in-hands-of-every-public-school-student

 

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Bahamas: 50 percent of students to return to public school campuses next week

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50 percent of students to return to public school campuses next week

«Hundreds of thousands of dollars” expended on masks, gloves, sanitization and signage

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of Education Marcellus Taylor said some public schools on Eleuthera resumed face-to-face learning on Monday, and others on New Providence will conduct student orientation this week in preparation for the resumption of face-to-face learning next week Tuesday.

As part of the hybrid, face-to-face learning model, around 30 percent of students will attend schools for face-to-face learning for a period of three days, while the remaining learn virtually, and then rotate to ensure all students benefit from traditional classroom learning.

Taylor made clear that students in public schools on many islands are in the classroom.

“It is not as if schools have not had some experience with going face-to-face,” he told Eyewitness News.

“We do have a good sense of how it is going to unfold.

“The main thing that is going to be a difference for people will be the fact that most of the schools, if not all of them — but I would think most of them — because of the restrictions put on us by the Ministry of Health, is that no more than 50 percent of the enrollment can return to school on any one day.

“There will be a hybrid model being conducted. This means that students will have part of their instruction on the campus and part of their instruction continue remotely.

“So, your child may come to school three days a week or might come two days a week or whatever is determined at the school.”

According to the director, priority at a particular school may be given to certain grades or those with upcoming exams.

He said another factor will be the number of classrooms available at each campus as repairs continue at a number of schools.

Additionally, some teachers and staff may be limited when it comes to remote learning, which could impact the number of students returning for traditional learning on some campuses.

“To the extent that we have to oblige that, then it might impinge on what we can deliver face-to-face.”

He maintained that one style of learning does not and will not fit every school, echoing Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd.

He said: “We have delineated a program in the broad sense, but schools then go ahead and implement it based on what their capacity is or what their circumstances are at the time. In a nutshell, we are saying that the schools will communicate with clientele, students and parents to indicate when students are supposed to come in, what grade levels and on which days, and which subjects they will be taking.

“All those things will be dealt with at the level of the school.”

Taylor explained that this Friday and next Monday are midterm days, but some schools may call students in before next Tuesday, February 23, to conduct orientation or to bring in groups to progress with coursework for Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams.

On Eleuthera, four schools resumed face-to-face learning on Monday.

Taylor said when schools are ready, the department is “allowing them to go”.

He said many parents and students are longing to return to the classroom, and “the faster, the better” once all of the health protocols are being followed.

The ministry has been in discussions with the teacher’s union on the return to traditional learning on four islands.

Taylor described those ongoing discussions as progressing, but said there were still matters proposed that are being discussed.

The extensive list of recommendations from the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) included plexiglass for teachers’ desks and coronavirus testing among the student population.

Neither of those measures will be implemented, according to the director.

He said the Ministry of Education does not expect teachers to teach “camped behind a desk”, and it is not minded to test students.

He said the government has expended hundreds of thousands of dollars, however, on signage, sanitization and other mitigation measures against the virus, as well as improved protocols in the event of a suspected case or cases on a school campus.

Additionally, supplies to shore up resources are being sent to schools this week, according to Taylor.

He pointed out that students attended schools across the country for national exams in recent months.

Asked about the number of confirmed cases stemming from those exercises, Taylor was unable to provide an exact figure but said he believes there may have been a small, isolated number of cases.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/50-percent-of-students-to-return-to-public-school-campuses-next-week

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Bahamas: One man found dead and another killed in under 24 hours

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One man found dead and another killed in under 24 hours

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — One man was found dead on Monday and another was shot to death just hours later, according to police.

In the first incident, around 4pm on Monday, police were called to a track road east of Golden Isles Road, off of Cowpen Road, where they found a man’s unresponsive body in bushes.

The victim was pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Services when they arrived on the scene. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death; however, police are classifying it as a homicide as the victim reportedly had injuries to the head.

In the second incident, sometime after 11pm on Monday, police were alerted to a shooting incident on Lincoln Boulevard, in the area of Homestead Avenue. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a man who appeared to have been shot in the face.

The man was taken to the hospital but police said he later succumbed to his injuries.

Neither victim’s identity has been released and investigations into both matters are ongoing.

Fuente de la Información: https://ewnews.com/one-man-found-dead-and-another-killed-in-under-24-hours

 

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