AGP Executive Report

Public Finances: Prime Minister Philip Davis says The Bahamas recorded a $39.3 million surplus in 2025/26, the first since independence, as revenue rose to $3.96 billion. Separately, the Public Accounts Committee plans to question current and former attorneys general over the National Investment Fund and questions about $700 million in deposits. Power and Costs: Eleuthera residents are threatening to withhold BPL payments over repeated outages and unresolved claims for damaged appliances. Fishermen say diesel costs and lost VAT recoveries are squeezing earnings. Schools and Safety: The educators’ union warns outages, plumbing problems and suspected impetigo cases are disrupting learning. Three men have been remanded over allegations of raping and indecently assaulting a 19-year-old woman. Abaco Development: Officials say the $177 million Treasure Cay redevelopment is nearing its closing, with permits secured and final items being completed.

Electoral Services: A new system is live, allowing the Parliamentary Registration Department to produce biometric voter cards locally; registered voters are invited to arrange issuance. Schools and Labour: The teachers’ union says affected schools have been cleaned after impetigo cases and urges vigilance. President Belinda Wilson also hopes to sign the government’s industrial agreement this week, after nearly a year of negotiations. Shipping Costs: Tropical Shipping will raise fuel surcharges on cargo to The Bahamas from November 8 by 11.1%, prompting concern about added costs for businesses and consumers. Public Accountability: A letter to the editor calls for greater urgency over corruption allegations, while a separate appeal urges the government to publish its aviation-weather agreement with BACSWN and clarify proposed charges and responsibilities. Air Links: Breeze Airways plans twice-weekly nonstop Nassau–Raleigh-Durham flights from June 2027, aiming to revive a route abandoned by earlier carriers. Courts: Three men charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old at a party were denied bail and remanded until January.

National Security: The discovery of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in Pride Estates has raised concern about military-grade weapons in The Bahamas. National Security Minister Myles LaRoda called for deeper investigations and stronger detection. Crime: Three men have been remanded after being charged with raping and indecently assaulting a 19-year-old woman at a Nassau party; they are due back in court in January. Grand Bahama Search: The family of Lynda Pinder, 75, who has Alzheimer’s, says there are still no leads nearly two weeks after she disappeared in Freeport. School Safety: C.C. Sweeting students are back in class after a week-long closure over electrical problems, but parents remain unsure the issue is fully fixed after reports of minor burns. Island Economy: Grand Bahama’s Chamber chief is urging greater support for farming and marine industries to cut import reliance, while yacht operators say fees are driving business elsewhere. Golf: The Bahamas claimed its first Caribbean Golf Association Four-Ball team title, ending Jamaica’s hold on the championship.

Security: A rocket-propelled grenade launcher found hidden in bushes near Tonique Williams-Darling Highway has raised alarm. National Security Minister Myles LaRoda says police are investigating how the weapon reached The Bahamas. Power and Courts: Eleuthera residents are demanding a clear plan to end frequent outages, while a Supreme Court injunction bars BPL from firing union president Kyle Wilson as he challenges the company’s disciplinary process. Health: A letter following Gene “Sparky” Fountain’s death has renewed concern over emergency-room delays, reporting that he waited about 11 hours at Princess Margaret Hospital before leaving without seeing a doctor. Trade: Bahamian exports to the US plunged more than 75% year over year in July, widening the monthly trade deficit with its largest trading partner to $351 million. Regional Affairs: The Bahamas was elected to represent CARICOM countries as a vice chair on the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board. Sport: Team Bahamas won the CGA Four-Ball Championships in Turks and Caicos, finishing with 88 points—well ahead of Jamaica in second.

Roads and Infrastructure: Works Minister Clay Sweeting says the Gladstone Road project is ready to go to tender, while a phased New Providence paving plan and repairs to a key Family Island bridge are advancing. National Honours: Hundreds of Bahamians were recognised for public service, community work and acts of bravery at the National Honours Ceremony. Child Protection: Rise Bahamas is calling for stiffer penalties in child sex crime cases. Health and Community: Bahari and Androsia have teamed up on a breast cancer awareness collection, with financial support for five women receiving treatment. Cost of Living: Nassau drivers are facing gas prices above $7 a gallon, while power outages continue to draw criticism from businesses and opposition figures. Tourism and Property: Bonds Cay, a largely undeveloped 650-acre Berry Islands property once linked to Shakira and Roger Waters, is listed for $30 million. The Bahamas’ tourism ties also gained a boost as a Bahamian student placed second at the Caribbean Tourism Youth Congress. Regional Safety: Bahamians attending an ITU meeting in Riyadh are reported safe after a second strike at the airport.

Regional Security: Bahamian delegates in Riyadh are safe after a second strike near King Khalid International Airport killed one person and injured 11; the ITU meeting they were attending was cancelled. Basketball: NBA rookie V.J. Edgecombe says representing The Bahamas means more to him than winning an NBA title. The national team is chasing a place at the 2027 World Cup, a route toward Olympic qualification. Cost of Living: Gas prices in Nassau are reported at more than $7 a gallon. Public Safety: Two men were killed in separate New Providence shootings this week, as the government works to build local forensic capacity. Older Bahamians: The government is advancing the Older Persons Rights, Protection, Care and Support Bill, aimed at strengthening protections for seniors.

Public Safety: Two men were killed in separate New Providence shootings, prompting police to appeal for information. Power and Public Services: The opposition criticized the government’s proposed $331 million borrowing to refinance Grand Bahama Power Company as outages continued; power, water and impetigo problems also disrupted several schools. Elder Care: Parliament debated the Older Persons Rights, Protection, Care and Support Bill, as the government seeks stronger safeguards for elderly Bahamians. Exuma Environment: A court challenge to approvals for a Rosewood Exuma service dock has put a nearby queen conch nursery in the spotlight; neighboring developers argue the project’s environmental review was inadequate. Tourism: The Bahamas is deepening ties with Mexico ahead of planned nonstop Aeroméxico service and was elected vice chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board.

Conch and Development: A Bahamas Supreme Court ruling is expected within weeks in a challenge to dredging approvals for a Rosewood Exuma dock. The proposed work would affect a juvenile conch habitat near East Sampson Cay; the court is weighing whether approvals were lawful, not the project’s impact on conch. Nassau Violence: Two men were killed in separate shootings overnight. Police say one victim was shot at home and another was attacked near Flint and Comfort streets; investigators are seeking information. Tourism: Pink Sands Beach ranked seventh in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 list of the world’s top beaches, while The Bahamas was elected vice chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board. Schools and Services: Power outages, water issues and impetigo concerns have disrupted several New Providence schools, as questions continue over the West NP hospital project. Bahamian Sports: NBA rookie V.J. Edgecombe says representing The Bahamas means more to him than winning an NBA title.

Power and Public Finances: FNM Chairman Duane Sands is criticizing the government’s plan to borrow $331 million to refinance Grand Bahama Power Company’s debt, as opposition voices also raise alarm over outages and business losses. Healthcare: Breast cancer advocates say patients can face bills of $800 to $5,000 per treatment session. Work on the proposed $260 million Western New Providence Hospital remains in design and approval stages; the 200-bed facility is intended to serve women and children. Education and Environment: More than 80 educators and environmental coordinators met in New Providence to encourage students to protect the environment, while power and water problems have disrupted classes at several schools. Public Safety: Two people were killed in separate New Providence shootings this week, and two others died in traffic accidents. Tourism and Growth: The World Bank projects 3% economic growth for The Bahamas in 2026, while the country’s tourism ties with Mexico deepen ahead of new nonstop Aeroméxico service. National Pride: NBA rookie V.J. Edgecombe says winning with The Bahamas would mean more to him than an NBA title.

Schools and Power: Outages continued to disrupt New Providence schools, with Eva Hilton dismissing students early and several campuses also affected by impetigo and water issues. Opposition leaders warned of business losses as the power problems persisted. Public Safety: Two people were killed in separate New Providence shootings this week, while two others died in traffic accidents, according to local reports. Elder Care: The House of Assembly debated the Older Persons Rights, Protection, Care and Support Bill, which aims to strengthen safeguards and support for elderly Bahamians. Grand Bahama: Residents voiced frustration over years of announcements without visible progress as Prime Minister Philip Davis prepares to meet local stakeholders on the island’s economic future. Tourism and Growth: The Bahamas was elected vice chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board and joined regional tourism talks. The World Bank projects 3% economic growth for the country in 2026, as tourism-dependent Caribbean economies face a slower recovery than oil producers.

Elder Care: Parliament passed the Older Persons Rights, Protection, Care and Support Bill, creating stronger safeguards against abuse and neglect and expanding support for home and community care. Public Safety: Two men were killed in separate New Providence shootings and two people died in traffic crashes this week. Police also found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in bushes near Pride Estates; a trainee corrections officer pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle marijuana into prison. Health Projects: Questions continue over the $260-million Western New Providence Hospital, with foundation plans still awaiting approval before major construction can begin. Grand Bahama: Residents voiced frustration over repeated announcements without visible progress ahead of a planned meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis on the island’s economic future. Economy and Food: The World Bank forecasts 3% growth for The Bahamas this year. The government says its Golden Yolk project has produced 200,000 eggs as it seeks to reduce food imports.

Nassau Crime: A 28-year-old man was shot dead outside his home in the Rupert Dean Lane and Dunmore Street area. Police are investigating; no arrest has been reported. Power Supply: BPL says electricity is restored on Great Guana Cay after a subsea cable fault caused an overnight outage. A replacement cable project is awaiting final approval and could take four to six weeks. Education: The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union says 29 schools lack a principal, vice principal or senior master, renewing concern over leadership vacancies. Roads: New Providence’s pothole-riddled roads are drawing fresh criticism, with residents still waiting for major works promised years ago. Grand Bahama Tourism: A Chamber statement warns Port Lucaya businesses are struggling as air arrivals remain low, despite a sharp rise in sea arrivals driven largely by Celebration Key. Sports and Culture: The Bahamas will host the CARIFTA Artistic Gymnastics Championships for the first time, welcoming athletes from eight Caribbean nations. Royal Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla are due in The Bahamas on October 27; the King is not expected to apologize for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

Schools: Impetigo concerns, power outages and water problems forced early dismissals at several New Providence schools, frustrating teachers and parents. Regional Leadership: The Bahamas won a two-year vice-chair role on the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board, while Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis became the first Bahamian elected to the SIDS DOCK Executive Council. Elder Care: Parliament debated a bill to protect older people, with officials citing neglect, abuse and financial exploitation. Courts: Donté Deveaux was sentenced to 35 years for a 2022 murder and attempted murder; separately, a woman accused of raping her former partner was granted $9,000 bail. Health Care: A mother is seeking answers after her newborn died 12 minutes after birth, saying she believes warning signs were missed. Financial Oversight: New US sanctions target Iran’s remaining oil-shipping network, including tankers registered in several jurisdictions, among them The Bahamas.

Football: The Bahamas suffered a 6-0 defeat to Saint Martin in the Concacaf Nations League, finishing the campaign winless as Saint Martin advanced to the next stage. Power Supply: BPL outages hit multiple New Providence communities; the utility introduced five- to six-hour rotating cuts on Paradise Island while repairs continue. Tourism: Disney’s new Believe cruise ship will sail from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean and The Bahamas from December 2027, with stops at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Older Persons: Parliament debated a bill to set care standards and protect seniors from abuse, neglect and abandonment. Education: The educators’ union says 29 schools remain without a principal, vice principal or senior master, disputing the government’s lower count. Grand Bahama: Unemployment has fallen and power rates have eased, but concerns remain that announcements and isolated gains have yet to deliver a lasting island-wide revival.

Crime: Two men, aged 28 and 27, were charged with murder and conspiracy over the September ambush killing of Edmer Delmvard at his Cowpen Road home; bail was denied. A 20-year-old mother also pleaded not guilty to child cruelty after allegedly leaving her infant outside his father’s home. Elder Care: Parliament debated a bill to protect older people from abuse and neglect, with provisions for healthcare, dementia support and palliative care. School Safety: C.C. Sweeting Senior High remained closed after faulty wiring caused minor burns to three students; Education Minister Chester Cooper said they were doing well. Immigration: The Bahamas repatriated 79 Haitian nationals arrested or convicted for immigration offences. Jobs: Unemployment fell to 8.1% in the first quarter, but underemployment rose 11% to 29,085 people. Telecommunications: Former Aliv executive Gravette Brown was named BTC’s chief executive, succeeding Sameer Bhatti.

Telecommunications: Former Aliv executive Gravette Brown has been appointed BTC’s CEO, succeeding Sameer Bhatti. Healthcare: Doctors Hospital reported an $11.5 million annual profit, reversing the prior year’s loss; revenue rose 10.5%, including a $7.4 million government finance-lease gain. Climate Finance: Economist Therese Turner-Jones urged the government to consider an IMF facility offering concessional funding to help small states withstand climate shocks. Tourism: Turner-Jones also warned The Bahamas cannot gauge its competitiveness without appearing in the World Economic Forum’s tourism rankings; too few local businesses completed the survey. North Eleuthera: Emergency runway repairs are underway after Western Air suspended flights, with work expected to take 12 days. Jobs: Unemployment fell to 8.1% in the first quarter, but underemployment rose 11%, highlighting a mismatch between workers’ skills and available jobs. Grand Bahama: The prime minister is expected to outline plans for Freeport this month, though business leaders say residents remain skeptical. Public Safety: A 16-year-old boy drowned in a New Providence canal days before his 17th birthday.