BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme has subtly warned doctors and other providers they will continue to sufer delayed payments during the upcoming fscal year as three-quarters of the $24.5m budget increase relates to taking on the National Drug Plan.
The NHI Authority, in a June 24, 2026, memorandum to all physician, laboratory and other service providers, revealed that just $6.5m of the scheme’s 2026-2027 funding increase will be used to cover existing obligations and responsibilities plus “prioritise arrears from previous fscal periods”.
ree-quarters of increased funding to take on Drug Plan
Only $6.5m allocated to ‘prioritise arrears from previous’ Doctors decry ‘86% of budget to providers’ as misleading
The memo, which has been obtained by Tribune Business, used guarded, coded language to warn that Bahamian doctors and other medical professionals will likely still endure delayed compensation with payment timing dependent on when the Ministry of Finance releases the necessary funds. It conceded that these “funding constraints” will impact providers’ operations and fnancial status, but branded the situation as
‘Eyes
“realities” that have to be managed.
The Authority, which oversees and administers a scheme providing healthcare to more than 161,000 Bahamians annually, said payments to doctors and other providers now consume 86 percent of its annual budget. However, physicians spoken to by this newspaper described this as potentially
misleading, arguing that this number has resulted from increased volume - continually adding more providers to NHI - rather than higher payment rates which have not increased in a decade.
Dr Denotrah Archer-Cartwright, a leading voice among NHI providers, also branded the Government’s touting of NHI’s expanded 2026-2027 budget as misleading on the basis that much of the increase represents a “reallocation”, rather than additional funds, due to the incorporation of the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP) with efect from the upcoming fscal year.
The Drug Plan, which had long resided within the National Insurance Board (NIB), was transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness prior to reaching its fnal
COMPENSATE - See Page B5
opened’ on Trump tari s harm for sheries
BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN fsheries chief yesterday revealed that a US customer’s alert over the Trump administration’s plan to impose 12.5 percent tarifs on this nation’s exports had “kind of opened my eyes” to the scale of the damage that could be inficted on the industry. Adrian LaRoda, the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) president, told Tribune Business that the call by Joshua Johnson, president and owner of West Palm Beach-based Johnson Seafood Company, to exempt
Bahamian spiny tail lobster and stone crab from punitive US trade sanctions had revealed 50 percent of local fsheries harvester and processors are involved in supplying just this one business.
Explaining that this exposes the widespread harm Bahamian fsheries will likely sufer if the Trump administration proceeds, which it says is a response to this nation’s failure to ban goods made with forced labour, Mr LaRoda said that Mr Johnson’s intervention has “opened the door” for the sector to collaborate with its US customers in opposing the tarif move.
Senator: No tari s to protect Golden Yolk
BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter
jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
A CABINET minister has asserted that the Government has no plans to impose tarifs on imported eggs to protect Bahamian producers as their products are already competitively priced and do not require additional support. The issue arose during Senate debate on the 2026-2027 Budget, when Opposition Senator Rick Fox questioned whether the Government would consider taxing imported eggs as domestic production expands through the Golden Yolk programme.
Mr Fox, while praising the initiative, suggested tarifs could encourage consumers to purchase locally-produced eggs and support Bahamian farmers as the country works to reduce its dependence on
Debt conversion’s $124m ‘won’t fully close the gap’
BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business
Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE BAHAMAS was yesterday said to be laying the foundation for how conservation groups will access and use funding generated by the country's $300m debt-for-nature conversion with ofcials working to identify stafng and capacity needs for marine protected areas (MPAs). Speaking during the Bahamas Project for Marine Conservation (BPMC) monitoring and evaluation training workshop, Charles Hamilton, climate change adviser in the Ofce of the Prime Minister, said the exercise is intended to help agencies determine what resources and personnel are needed to efectively manage and protect these resources. The workshop brought together representatives from organisations involved in marine conservation, including wardens and agencies responsible for overseeing protected areas throughout The Bahamas.
“I was hearing on the periphery that there were some concerns from our US buyers,” he told this newspaper. “They know they will have supply, but it was a
matter of them being able to make a good proft from our supplies. Now your article has opened the door, I’m going to be interested in working with and talking to our US partners to see what support and lobbying we can get on their end.
“It opens the door to ask our US partners to do lobbying on their side. What afects us afects them way more. They will bear the brunt of higher tarifs and sometimes it will be difcult to pass that on to customers through higher prices. The door has been opened, and we are open to collaborating with our US
Drug accused admits PPP and Carmichael builder his ‘business’
$20,000 of seized $30,000 from Top Notch Builders account Withdrawal slip names Jonathan Gardiner as account signatory Sands: ‘Massive rami cations’ demand ‘deep dive’ investigation
BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
AN ACCUSED Bahamian drug trafcker has admitted in legal documents that the construction company which developed both the Government’s $34m Eight Mile Rock administrative complex and fagship Carmichael Village afordable housing project is his “business”.
Jonathan Eric Gardiner, also known as ‘Player’, in flings with the southern New York federal court produced a Bahamian bank slip purporting to confrm that $20,000 of the $30,000 in cash he possessed when his plane crashed on May 12, the date of the general election, had been withdrawn from an account belonging to Top Notch Builders.
And, in accompanying legal papers supporting his failed bid to be released on bond from US custody, Mr Gardiner and his attorneys afrmed that the funds had come from his “business bank account” one day earlier on May 11. The admissions leave little doubt that the accused narcotics smuggler, who has a past US conviction for similar ofences, is Top Notch’s real owner and control person, with signatory authority on the company’s bank
LEVIES
JEROME FITZGERALD
DONALD TRUMP
JONATHAN ERIC ‘PLAYER’ GARDINER
Working fathers require their employer’s support
In the aftermath of Father’s Day, it is appropriate for employers across The Bahamas to refect on the critical role they play in helping men become active, responsible fathers. While much attention has rightly been given to supporting working mothers, modern workplaces must also recognise that fathers need meaningful support if they are to fully participate in the lives of their children.
The traditional expectation that men should simply provide fnancially is no longer enough. Today’s fathers want to be present at school events, medical appointments, bedtime routines and the countless moments that shape a child’s development.
IAN
Progressive workplace policies can help make this possible.
One of the most impactful initiatives is the introduction of paternity
coaching and support groups. Becoming a father often brings signifcant emotional and psychological changes. Many men experience stress, uncertainty and increased pressure as they balance work responsibilities with family life. Dedicated parental coaching and peer support groups create safe spaces where fathers can share experiences, seek advice, and normalise the challenges of parenthood. These programmes reinforce the message that active fatherhood is both valued and encouraged. Paid paternity leave is another essential beneft. Companies are increasingly moving away from separate maternity and paternity policies, and instead ofering inclusive parental leave
Water Corp stages its second resource management event
THE Water and Sewerage Corporation recently staged its second Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) workshop in a bid to co-ordinate the development and management of water and land resources.
The workshop brought together key private and public sector agencies involved in water resource management, including the Department of Forestry, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), the Department of Environmental Health Service (DEHS), the Ministry of Works and Family Island Afairs, Ministry of Tourism, Consolidated Water, WSCDesalCo, New Providence Development Company and Paradise Island Utilities.
Jobeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy, utilities and aviation, in opening the workshop, said: “The Government of The Bahamas is grateful for the continued support of the Green Climate Fund, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Inter- American Development Bank, who work along with our highly-talented and
committed team of water professionals.
“Through these partnerships, we will continue to strengthen institutional capacity, improve water planning, enhance resilience planning and mobilise critical fnancing for infrastructure and technical assistance. These partnerships demonstrate what can be achieved when national commitment is matched by international co-operation.”
Mrs Coleby-Davis said reliable water systems depend on afordable and resilient energy. “This calls for the most optimum blend of high energy reverse osmosis and sustainable wellfeld production,” she said. “We are already seeing the benefts of this balanced approach. Strategic investments in the Windsor wellfeld have nearly doubled groundwater production - from 215 million gallons in 2023 to a projected 435 million gallons this year - reducing our dependence on more expensive desalinated water, and delivering signifcant savings while strengthening water security for New Providence.”
BHTA meets with minister to talk key tourism issues
SENIOR executives from the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) have met with Glenys Hanna Martin, newly-appointed minister of tourism, and her leadership team to discuss critical issues facing the country’s largest industry. Jackson Weech, BHTA president; Robert Sands, his immediate predecessor; Victor Karavias, vice-president for the Family Islands; Kerry Fountain, executive director of the Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB); Joy Jibrilu, chief executive, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) and BHTA executive vice-president, Suzanne Pattusch, met with ofcials including
IMPORT - from page B1
imports. "Will we be adding a tarif to eggs coming into the country to support Bahamians?" Mr Fox asked. Jerome Fitzgerald, minister of economic afairs, rejected the idea, arguing that tarifs are typically used when domestic producers cannot compete on price
Randy Rolle, Ministry of Tourism parliamentary secretary; Latia Duncombe, director-general; and Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director-general/director of Aviation.
The BHTA, in a statement, said “aligned perspectives and objectives” were discussed. Mr Weech said: “We were pleased to participate in a frank, open, invigorating and insightful dialogue with Minister Hanna Martin, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Tourism.
“We look forward to continuing to build upon our foundation of trust and partnership, intensifying and deepening the level and frequency of meaningful engagement opportunities
with imported goods. "If the price is already competitive, then there's no need to incentivise," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"You only incentivise if the local production cost is higher than what you could import it for. What we fnd here is the opposite. We're able to produce eggs cheaper than what we can import them."
for all parents. This allows non-birthing parents and adoptive fathers to spend crucial bonding time with their children during the earliest stages of life. Providing this opportunity sends a powerful signal that a father’s presence matters from day one.
Family medical insurance coverage should also be considered a basic workplace beneft. Men have historically been viewed as primary providers, and few experiences are more frustrating than being unable to help a sick child receive the care they need. Ensuring that fathers can include their children on comprehensive medical plans strengthens families and provides peace of mind.
Employers can further support fathers through
subsidised back-up and emergency childcare services. When a daycare closes unexpectedly or a babysitter cancels, working parents often face difcult choices. Access to emergency childcare solutions ensures fathers are not penalised for responding to family emergencies. Finally, fexible and remote working arrangements empower fathers to be present where they are needed most. Whether attending a parent-teacher conference, a pediatric appointment or simply sharing daily childcare responsibilities, workplace fexibility allows men to remain productive employees while being engaged parents. Supporting fathers is not merely a family issue; it
is an economic and social investment. By creating father-friendly workplaces, Bahamian employers can help raise stronger children, strengthen families and build a more resilient nation. This Father’s Day, let us commit to helping men become the responsible fathers our children deserve.
• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organisations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.
Robert Deal, the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s general manager, added: “It really is about how best we can protect our groundwater and coastal resources to improve the quality of life for Bahamians.
“I think we take water for granted. We think that water will always be here. But it is fnite, and it is a resource that must be managed. Particularly here in New Providence, where there is a lot of development, we have to be sure that our groundwater resources are not polluted from garages, septic tanks and manyother activities. It’s very important that we protect these resources for future generations.”
Dr Tara Mackey, head of the water resources management unit, said the workshop was critical because it helped Water & Sewerage Corporation to receive data for the Green Climate Fund proposal.
“Many of the stakeholders were not informed that, through their works and eforts, the proposal that we were developing was approved in 2026. So, we wanted them to know that
between our respective organisations to achieve strategic, aligned outcomes for the betterment of the people of The Bahamas
“I think it is fair to say we agree there is much work to be done, and common objectives are best attained through communication, collaboration and the apt leveraging of cross-sectoral public and private sector partnership and engagement - the sharing of expertise, experience, insights and the apt allocation of fnancial resources that will get the job done.”
The BHTA said critical concerns continue to be workforce development, youth training and empowerment; stopover growth and airlift development with a focus on Family Islands; improving critical infrastructure throughout The Bahamas; enhancing the Bahamas’ tourism product, with an emphasis on the jet ski industry and taxi experience; supporting local sourcing; entrepreneurship;
Mr Fitzgerald said consumers already have access to competitively-priced Bahamian eggs and can decide for themselves whether to purchase local products.
"It is then for the public to decide whether they want to buy Bahamian eggs, which they have been consuming and buying almost all of, or whether they want to pay a higher price for imported eggs," he said.
The discussion came amid a broader debate on the
their hard work indeed paid of,” she said.
Cyprian Gibson, the Corporation’s deputy general manager, said the next step is to ensure that action is taken. “We want all the stakeholders to know their roles so that we co-ordinate those roles for the beneft of our citizens,” he said.
The workshop was held after the Green Climate Fund Board, in March 2026, approved a funding proposal for a $65.197mM project in The Bahamas, which includes a $25.091m loan component, a $37.505m grant and $2.601m in counterpart fnancing.
The Corporation, in a statement, said this is the frst time The Bahamas has
secured national project funding from the Green Climate Fund. The project is structured around three goals that, together, strengthen The Bahamas’ water sector.
It added that the project establishes a strong policy and institutional framework by developing a national water policy, reforming legislation, creating co-ordination bodies and implementing integrated water resources management, thereby ensuring clear governance and long-term strategic direction. It will also build a technical and data-driven foundation through national monitoring systems, a dedicated water resources unit
Integrated
and a decision support platform, enabling real-time data, climate risk analysis and informed decision-making across sectors.
The third goal is climate-resilient infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to wellfelds, strengthened distribution systems, increased storage and reduced water losses, resulting in a more reliable, efcient and sustainable water supply system.
The project, titled ‘Climate resilience of the water sector of The Bahamas’, aims to protect the country’s vulnerable freshwater resources and strengthen groundwater monitoring and water resource management.
From left to right: Kerry Fountain, BHTA chairperson and Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB) executive director; Joy Jibrilu, BHTA chairperson and Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) chief executive; Robert ‘Sandy’ Sands, BHTA immediate past president and senior vice-president of government and community relations, Baha Mar; Latia Duncombe, director-general, Ministry of Tourism; Jackson Weech, BHTA president and vice-president and general manager of operations, Atlantis; Glenys Hanna-Martin, minister of tourism; Randy Rolle, parliamentary secretary; Dr Kenneth Romer, director of aviation and deputy director-general of tourism; Suzanne Pattusch, BHTA executive vice-president; and Victor Karavias, BHTA vice-president of Family Islands and senior vice-president of operations, Resorts World Bimini.
protecting and promoting authentic guest experiences; Bahamian culture and heritage; optimising tourism spend; and ensuring all tourism participants
future of the Government's Golden Yolk programme, which is designed to boost domestic egg production and strengthen food security.
Mr Fox added that The Bahamas imports an estimated 52m eggs annually, and questioned whether the programme's current production levels are sufcient to signifcantly reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. However, Mr Fitzgerald said the programme is expected to expand dramatically over the next several
contribute fairly to the Public Treasury. The BHTA also expressed a willingness and need for the private sector to be further meaningfully engaged when The
years. "The Golden Yolk programme is going to be scaled up to 27 million eggs," he said. "That's the goal over the next couple of years."
Government is considering initiatives that impact tourism so that members can provide “boots on the ground” perspectives as owners and operators.
Mr Fox welcomed the expansion plans, describing the prospect of increasing domestic egg production as "extremely exciting" and saying he hoped The Bahaamas could eventually replace a larger share of the eggs it currently imports.
The Government has allocated about $9m for the Golden Yolk initiative over the next three years as part of its broader food security strategy.
He said continued investment will be required as production is expanded through farmers across the country. "There will be continuous investment because it's going to be distributed amongst various farmers throughout the country," said Mr Fitzgerald. "The programme is intended to assist them and bring them up to par."
JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS, minister of energy, utilities and aviation, poses with executives, Board members and union leaders at the Water and Sewerage Corporation during the second
Water Resources Management (IWRM) workshop.
Gym owner disconnects at night to protect from BPL
BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
A GYM owner yesterday said repeated Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) outages have become so common that he now disconnects his equipment whenever he leaves for the day, fearing unpredictable fuctuations could destroy costly electronics.
William Saunders, owner of Phiitness Place, said recurring electricity disruptions over recent weeks have forced him to take precautions to protect his business while also coping
with lost revenue and interrupted operations. "Whenever I leave, I unplug everything," he said. "Some things have surge protection and some don't, but you never know what's going to happen."
Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Saunders said one outage recently forced him to shut down for an entire day after arriving at work before dawn to fnd the power already out. "I got here around 5am and the electricity was of," he said. "It didn't come back until around 5.30pm. That was basically an entire day of business lost."
According to Mr Saunders, the problems did not end when service was restored. "The next morning the power was clicking on and of repeatedly," he said. "That's when you start worrying about speakers, electronics and other equipment getting damaged."
Mr Saunders said the outages have created fnancial pressure for small businesses already struggling to manage expenses. "When you can't operate, you lose money," he said. "The bills still have to be paid whether the power is on or of."
Mr Saunders said the disruptions often force him to reschedule clients, creating
PM hails Bahamasair’s Cat Island return after 20 years
BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter
jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMASAIR yesterday resumed scheduled service to Cat Island for the frst time in more than 20 years - a move the government says will boost tourism, strengthen inter-island connectivity and create new economic
opportunities for local businesses.
Speaking at the relaunch ceremony, Prime Minister Philip Davis KC said twiceweekly fights between Nassau and Cat Island will operate on Thursdays and Sundays, providing residents and visitors with greater access to the island.
"For the frst time in more than 20 years, Bahamasair will again provide
Chamber backs ease for short-term work permits
BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) is backing the Davis administration’s ‘Trusted Traveller’ programme as a long-overdue reform that could boost foreign direct investment and improve the country’s competitiveness and ease of doing business.
The Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which is expected to come into force on July 1, will allow certain foreign business visitors to enter The Bahamas for up to three days without requiring a work visa or short-term work permit. The exemption will apply to approved activities such as attending conferences, trade shows, business meetings and Board meetings, but excludes organisers and anyone undertaking employment.
Dr Leo Rolle, the Chamber’s chief executive, described the legislation as a positive step towards improving the ease of doing business, saying the private sector has been calling for reforms of this nature for years.
“With so many challenges impacting the ease of doing business in the country today, we note that this policy change represents a positive step toward improving The Bahamas’ ease of doing business and
enhancing our competitiveness as an international destination for investment, commerce and professional services,” Dr Rolle said. He added thar the Chamber has consistently advocated for modernising the country’s Immigration framework to facilitate legitimate business travel while maintaining national security. For years, Dr Rolle argued, executives, technical specialists, consultants and investors have faced unnecessary administrative hurdles when making short business trips to The Bahamas.
“While work permit requirements serve an important purpose in protecting the Bahamian labour market, the process for short-duration business travel has often been viewed by regional and international businesses as cumbersome, particularly where executives are visiting for meetings, due diligence, project oversight, negotiations, training or other activities that do not constitute long-term employment,” he said.
According to the Chamber chief, reducing those barriers should make The Bahamas more attractive for foreign direct investment, as investors increasingly compare jurisdictions based not only on tax and regulatory policies but also on how easily executives and technical personnel can travel to conduct legitimate business.
“A more efcient system sends a strong signal that
scheduled service to Cat Island," said Mr Davis. He described the route's return as an important step in improving transportation links throughout The Bahamas while supporting economic activity on the island.
According to Mr Davis, improved airlift will make it easier for residents to travel for business, healthcare and family matters, while
The Bahamas is committed to facilitating commerce while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight,” Dr Rolle added.
He said industries expected to beneft include fnancial services, construction and infrastructure, renewable energy, technology, maritime industries, tourism development, healthcare, aviation, professional services and other large-scale investment projects that frequently require specialists to travel on short notice.
However, Dr Rolle cautioned that the programme’s success will depend heavily on implementation and oversight.
“The Trusted Traveller Programme should not become a mechanism for individuals to circumvent existing work permit requirements or engage in employment beyond the scope of permissible business activities,” he said.
Dr Rolle called for clear eligibility criteria, defned limits on permitted activities, efective monitoring and close co-ordination between Immigration, labour and border protection authorities. He also stressed that businesses and Immigration ofcers will require clear
TRAVEL - See Page B6
additional work while reducing revenue. "When I cancel clients because of an outage, I have to make up those sessions later," he said. "Those are days I'm not getting paid for, so you're losing money."
The frustration extends beyond his business. Mr Saunders, who lives in eastern New Providence, said he has also experienced frequent outages at home. "You leave work with no electricity and go home to no electricity," he said. "I don't think I've had 24 straight hours of power in more than a week."
While critical of the service interruptions, he
helping to attract more visitors to Cat Island. He said increased access could provide a boost to hotels,
Senator:
acknowledged that conditions in the Palmdale area have improved somewhat in recent weeks. "It has gotten better over the last two weeks," he said. "But people are still dealing with outages, and it's hard when you don't know when the next interruption is coming."
restaurants, transportation providers and other small businesses that depend on visitor spending.
"Hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers and entrepreneurs throughout this island stand to beneft from increased visitor activity," he said.
"As more people discover Cat Island, local businesses have a real opportunity to grow."
Mr Davis said the restored route forms part of the Government's wider strategy to ensure Family Islands beneft from national development initiatives.
Providers want to join NHI despite payment concerns
BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
A GOVERNMENT senator is asserting that multiple healthcare operators are waiting to join the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme even though existing providers continue to complain about delayed compensation payments.
Concerns arose during the Senate debate on the 2026-2027 Budget when Opposition Senator, Arinthia Komolafe, questioned whether increased funding for the National Health Insurance Authority would resolve concerns raised by providers who say delayed payments are afecting their operations.
"We know there is the conversation that there's delay in payment and it's impacting their operation," said Mrs Komolafe. "We just want to know that the allocations for the upcoming fscal year will address those issues."
Funding for the National Health Insurance Authority has increased from $48m to $72m. As debate continued, D’Asante Small sought to clarify the Government's
position, stressing that payments to providers have not stopped. "Please note that NHI payments have not stopped," she said.
"While there have been some delays, payments are ongoing, and the most recent payment process was the initial 50 percent payment for May 2026, which was completed last week."
However, Mrs Komolafe maintained that providers continue to publicly complain about payment delays and sought assurances that the additional funding would prevent similar issues in the upcoming fscal year. The discussion later shifted to concerns previously raised about the long-term sustainability of the NHI programme.
Senator Small acknowledged that some providers have expressed concerns but argued that many others remain interested in participating.
"While we do have some of our participants in the NHI programme that have expressed concern, it's a very long list of providers that are waiting to join that list," she said. "It is clear that while some providers are met with challenges, there are others who see the opportunity."
Mr Saunders said many small business owners simply want reliable electricity so they can focus on serving customers rather than worrying about whether their equipment will survive the next outage.
He also linked the service reintroduction to broader investments in aviation infrastructure, noting that the Government is currently building or renovating 19 airports through its Renaissance Airport Project.
"We are actively building and renovating 19 airports through the Renaissance Airport Project, with more airports to come," said Mr Davis. "It is the largest project of its kind in Bahamian history and is projected to have a huge impact on every major island in The Bahamas."
Opposition Senator, Dr Trevor Johnson, then questioned whether providers dissatisfed with the programme could choose to leave, making room for other participants.
"Is there a reason why those persons who clearly have an issue, can they opt out so that you can begin to take more willing participants?" he asked.
Mrs Komolafe then sought clarifcation on whether the Government's position was that providers concerned about delayed payments should simply leave the programme. "So is it the posture that if there's a concern about the timeliness of payment that, if you want to, you can leave the programme because there are others waiting to get in the programme?" she asked.
Senator Small later clarifed that she was not suggesting providers should leave the programme, but was instead highlighting that opinions about NHI difer among healthcare providers. "The question I had was whether the providers saw the programme as sustainable," she said. "While there are some with concerns, there are others who see the opportunity." She added that she was not in a position to speak to the process by which a provider could opt out of the programme, but said she would obtain that information.
BAHAMAS POWER & LIGHT (BPL)
PHILIP DAVIS KC
DR LEO ROLLE
Capacity to guard marine protected areas assessed
Mr Hamilton said the work is tied directly to the debt conversion transaction completed last year, which refnanced $300m of Bahamian debt and is expected to generate approximately $124m in savings for conservation initiatives over the next 15 years.
“This workshop is being conducted with the understanding that we’re going to need personnel to help protect marine protected areas across the country,” said Mr Hamilton.
“Through the debt conversion transaction, The Bahamas refnanced $300m of debt, generating approximately $124m in savings that will be reinvested over 15 years into conservation initiatives. The agencies represented here will play a key role in protecting those areas, so we’re identifying the most pressing threats, prioritising needs and determining what capacity is required to do that work efectively.”
Mr Hamilton said the workshop is helping agencies identify their priorities and stafng needs
so funding can be directed where it is most needed.
“Once you understand your priority areas and the capacities that are needed, you can begin thinking about how to mobilise fnancing to the agencies that will need to hire or upskill personnel to protect these areas,” he added.
Mr Hamilton acknowledged that while the funding generated through the debt-for-nature conversion will signifcantly boost conservation eforts, it will not eliminate all funding challenges facing environmental agencies. “We know the $124m over 15 years
FNM chair wants ‘fulsome’ probe in Bahamas into Top Notch deals
REVELATIONS - from page B1
account and the ability to withdraw substantial cash sums. The latest revelations sparked Dr Duane Sands, the Free National Movement’s (FNM) chairman, to renew demands for a “fulsome investigation” to be carried out in The Bahamas as to ”whether the Government, knowingly or unknowingly, has been complicit in laundering money” for Mr Gardiner via the taxpayer-funded contracts for both the Eight Mile Rock complex and the $20m Carmichael Village afordable housing developments.
He argued that the latest evidence linking Mr Gardiner to Top Notch requires “a deep dive” given what he branded “absolutely massive ramifcations” for taxpayers and The Bahamas. US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents have previously alleged that Mr Gardiner was using “Bahamian government-issued construction contracts” to “launder his narcotics traffcking proceeds” which, if correct, means taxpayer dollars are being used to wash clean drug money.
The bank withdrawal slip fled by Mr Gardiner and his attorneys reveals that the $20,000 withdrawal took place from Top Notch Builders’ account at Bank of The Bahamas’ branch on JFK Drive. The BISXlisted bank is 82 percent majority-owned by the Government via the Public Treasury and National Insurance Board (NIB), and the withdrawal slip bears Mr Gardiner’s signature and his name - both typed and written out by himself - and describes him as “the customer”.
“Approximately $20,000 of the recovered currency had been withdrawn from Mr Gardiner’s business bank account on May 11, 2026, one day before the fight,” the drug accused and his attorneys stated, the business clearly named and identifed as Top Notch Builders on the withdrawal slip. “Bank records documenting that withdrawal are attached as Exhibit B.
A photograph attached as Exhibit A refects that those funds remained bundled and packaged by the banking institution.”
Dr Sands, though, argued that the evidence fled with the southern district of New York court proves Mr Gardiner is the true owner
NOTICE
IN THE ESTATE of IRVIN LEON
KNOWLES A.K.A IRWYN LEON
KNOWLES late of the Settlement of McKenzie, Long Island, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certifed in writing to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of July A.D., 2026, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Executor shall then have had Notice.
And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date.
MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO.,
Attorneys for the Executor Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell Street P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas
NOTICE
IN THE ESTATE of NATHLEE LOUISE BROWN AKA NATALIE LOUISE BROWN late of James Street Dundas Town Abaco, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certifed in writing to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of July A.D., 2026, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Executor shall then have had Notice.
And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date.
MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO.,
Attorneys for the Executor
Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell Street P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas
will help close the gap, but it will not completely close the gap,” he said.
“Our partners on the ground understand what the costs look like, so they are correct that more funding is needed than what this transaction alone will provide. However, it is signifcantly more than they would have had before, and we’re pleased that we were able to secure these resources for conservation over the next 15 years.”
Mr Hamilton said the Government is exploring additional funding opportunities and innovative fnancing mechanisms to
and control person at Top Notch Builders despite eforts to seemingly conceal these ties. Mr Gardiner had denied owning shares, or having any benefcial interest, in the contractor in an afdavit of benefcial ownership fled with the Registry of Records on February 13, 2017.
However, his involvement with the construction frm seemingly continued for a further nine years until the May 12 general election and plane crash. “At the very least he is one of the signatories,” Dr Sands told Tribune Business of the evidence fled in the southern New York court. “That closes the loop. If that his evidence, he’s admitting it’s his company. There it is.
“I think this, once again, brings us full circle to what we have said. It raises a number of questions about government funds potentially working their way to a previously-convicted narco trafcker. But, more important, whether the Government - knowingly or unknowingly - has been complicit in laundering money for this individual. There are huge ramifcations from these revelations; absolutely massive ramifcations.
“It deserves a fulsome investigation not only in the southern district of New York but also in The Bahamas. It is possible that those homes [in Carmichael Village] have been
built, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of crime. The ramifcations are so huge it requires a deep dive. This dismissive approach adopted by multiple agents of this administration does a disservice to the Bahamian people. Let us look at the consequences, repercussions and ramifcations of these developments.”
Tribune Business previously revealed that records fled with the Companies Registry, which is maintained by the Registrar General’s Department, show 4,999 of the 5,000 shares in Complete Construction, the Renaissance at Carmichael Village subdivision contractor, are owned by Mr Gardiner’s Top Notch Builders. In essence, Complete Construction is the alter ego, front or corporate veil for Top Notch Builders.
Complete Construction’s ofcers and directors are virtually the same as Top Notch’s. Samson Hield, the former’s president, held the post of vice-president at Top Notch when the latter signed the separate ‘public-private partnership’ deal with the Government for the Eight Mile Rock administrative complex.
Other Complete Construction directors are listed as Marc Robinson, a fnancial consultant and its treasurer; Alecia Bowe, an attorney and its secretary; and Michael Cooper, an insurance executive who is named as its vice-president. The trio are also all named as directors and ofcers of Top Notch in the latter’s corporate flings.
NOTICE
IN THE ESTATE of ROBERT WILFRED HALL late of Ethel Street, Montell Heights, in the Eastern District of the Island of New Providence, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certifed in writing to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of July A.D., 2026, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Executor shall then have had Notice.
And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date.
MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO., Attorneys for the Executor Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell Street P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas
supplement the resources generated through the debt conversion.
“We’re working with departments to identify other opportunities for funding, and to explore innovative ways of raising additional fnancing,” he said.
Mr Hamilton also suggested that information gathered through the workshop could help conservation agencies secure support from donors and funding partners outside the debt-for-nature programme.
“If an organisation can demonstrate the size of
Tribune Business was also frst to report Mr Gardiner’s ties to both Top Notch and PPP Construction and Investments, the latter being a vehicle 100 percent owned by the contractor, and which was used to construct the Eight Mile Rock administrative complex in a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government. That project was subsequently forecast to cost Bahamian taxpayers more than $50m.
Dr Sands, meanwhile, said Mr Gardiner’s evidence also raises uncomfortable questions for Michael Halkitis, minister of fnance, whom corporate records show was named as Top Notch’s president and a director for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 prior to resigning ahead of the 2021 general election. The court disclosures suggest Mr Gardiner maintained his involvement with the contractor through the time Mr Halkitis was there until 2026.
“As a private citizen I was involved in fnancial consulting and corporate services consulting,” Mr Halkitis said when questioned about his role at Top Notch Builders at a time when the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was not in ofce.
“I was approached to provide consulting and directorship services to Top Notch Builders, in particular setting up proper corporate governance procedures and structures.”
Mr Halkitis said he was not hired by Mr Gardiner, and was approached by an attorney. He said his involvement began in mid-2019, but the company suspended operations by April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I resigned as director of that company and all the other directorships that I held in 2021,” he added. The minister subsequently said his involvement with Top Notch Builders ended in April 2020.
However, Dr Sands yesterday questioned how Mr Halkitis - given his position as Top Notch’s presidentcould have been unaware who the company’s benefcial owner was “in light of” Mr Gardiner’s court flings. He also challenged how the now-minister would not have known Mr Gardiner was a signatory on Top Notch bank account, and asked who was responsible for making payments and signing cheques on the company’s behalf.
the area it is responsible for protecting, identify its capacity needs, show what is already being funded through this project and highlight the outcomes achieved, it strengthens its case for additional support,” he said.
“While this exercise is designed to support this specifc project, I don’t see how it would not also beneft organisations seeking funding and partnerships from other sources.”
The evidence fled by Mr Gardiner undermines, and blows a hole in, previous corporate flings that Top Notch Builders is instead owned 100 percent by Paradise Productions Inc Company. That is an entity fully-owned by Mr Hield, who has been listed in previous Tribune Business reports as the “lead contractor” for the Eight Mile Rock PPP deal. However, the New York documents strongly suggest this is merely a ‘fronting’ operation.
Michael Coleman, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent who swore the afdavit detailing the US government’s case against Mr Gardiner, alleged that the latter’s co-conspirators as recently as September 2024 said he “was currently building government buildings” and “reportedly trying to keep his involvement below the radar of law enforcement”.
“Based on my participation in this investigation, I understand that comment to be a reference to Gardiner’s company, which has bid on and secured Bahamian government-issued construction projects,” Mr Coleman claimed. “Gardiner owns a business that Gardiner uses to, among other things, bid on Bahamian government-issued construction contracts and launder his narcotics traffcking proceeds.”
US prosecutors, in yesterday’s court hearing where Mr Gardiner was denied bail by Judge Gregory Wood, had asserted that previous assessments dating from his previous conviction has “substantially undervalued” the Bahamian national’s assets.
Juliana Murray, an assistant US attorney, voiced doubts that the $30,000 in Bahamian currency which Mr Gardiner was arrested with was “almost the entire value of his net worth”.
She added that despite Mr Gardiner’s eforts to “distance” himself from Top Notch Builders, he was still afliated with it, and referred to both the Eight Mile Rock and Carmichael Village contracts received by the company. “Mr Gardiner has profted substantially from these government contracts”, she said, adding that this explained the prosecution’s “deep concerns” about how much Mr Gardiner is really worth.
NOTICE
IN THE ESTATE of JANE GERTRUDE COLLINS late of Little Orchard Abaco, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certifed in writing to the undersigned on or before the 6th day of July A.D., 2026, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Executor shall then have had Notice.
And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date.
MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO., Attorneys for the Executor Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell Street P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas
Physicians: NHI ‘accelerating’ but not sustaining existing scheme
destination - NHI. While the latter’s budget has expanded by almost 50 percent year-over-year, from $48.2m to $72.7m, representing an increase of $24.5m, much of the latter fgure relates to monies for purchasing medications.
“The Government of The Bahamas has allocated $72.7m to the NHI Authority for fscal year 2026–2027, beginning July 1, 2026, refecting its continued national commitment to healthcare access and service delivery,” the Authority has told providers.
“Eighteen million dollars has been allocated for the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP), primarily to support the cost of medications under the programme.
[And] $6.5m represents the increase to the NHI programme funding to support the program’s responsibilities, expanded operational costs and prioritisation of arrears from previous fscal periods.”
As a result, when added to the prior fscal year’s $48.2m budget, the NHI Authority asserted that
“$54.7m is designated to support existing programmes, healthcare operations and service delivery”. This means, in practice, that just one-quarter or a little over 25 percent of the Authority’s budget increase is geared towards the present scheme.
“It’s not a budget increase; it’s a reallocation of funds,” Dr Archer-Cartwright told Tribune Business. “That money [$18m] used to be under the NIB programme. That money is now being reallocated to NHI. That’s not an increase to the NHI system. They have taken on more, which is how they have managed NHI. Now they have taken on the Prescription Drug Plan, they have reallocated funds and money that they clearly were going to spend.”
The NHI Authority, meanwhile, warned that despite the seemingly large budget increase it will persist with the frugal approach to fnancial management it has adopted in past years. “As experienced in prior fscal periods, careful allocation and prioritisation of available funding will continue,” it declared.
“To ensure the programme’s sustainability and continuity of care, the Board of Directors has directed a disciplined fnancial and operational approach for fscal 2026–2027 grounded in prudent resource management and responsible governance.”
The Authority added: “Over time, provider payments have continued to increase and now account for approximately 86 percent of NHI Authority’s total budget allocation.
”Within this framework, provider payments will continue to be issued as government subventions are disbursed to the Authority. NHI Authority acknowledges the operational impact that funding constraints and payment timing may have on providers and remains committed to working collaboratively to manage these realities.
“At this time, no substantive changes to provider reimbursement models are being introduced. The Authority will continue to closely monitor programme performance and expenditure trends to ensure alignment with available resources to guide reforms
US supplier ‘opens door’ for collaboration to ght tari s
buyers and the support we get from them to defnitely make a diference in how they move forward.”
Mr LaRoda also revealed that Mr Johnson’s June 24, 2026, letter to the US Trade Representative’s Ofce urging that Bahamian fsheries products be exempted from higher border taxes had brought home to him just how wide the negative impact will be felt by local harvesters and exporters. The US importer had listed multiple Bahamian fsheries houses that he buys product from - all of which could sufer a sales export slowdown if crawfsh and stone crab are priced out of consumers’ reach.
“It kind of opened my eyes a bit,” he disclosed. “I didn’t think as many of our guys, the harvesters, the suppliers…. 50 percent of our people are doing exports and supplying that one company. Fifty percent of our suppliers are supporting that one company, and any negative efect on their end will have the same efect on 50 percent of our industry, more or less. This has brought some attention to what could potentially happen to us.”
Mr Johnson, in his letter, revealed that Johnson Seafood Company imports around 180,000 pounds of Bahamian fsheries products per season, and warned that levying tarifs will disrupt “mutually benefcial long-term commercial relationships” that it has built with this nation’s suppliers including Boardwalk Seafood Distributors; Hook, Line and Sinker; G & L Seafood; Lightbourne Seafood; and Hurricane Seafood.
“The cumulative stress placed on every link of this supply chain - from the importer to the wholesaler, the retailer to the restaurant, the market to the hotel kitchen to the hospitality operator - is a direct and foreseeable consequence of a tarif policy that serves no legitimate forced labour enforcement purpose in the case of Bahamian seafood,” Mr Johnson wrote.
that US distributors have built with Bahamian fshing co-operatives and operators. Our supplier relationships — with Boardwalk Seafood Distributors, Hook, Line & Sinker, G & L Seafood, Lightbourne Seafood, Jacob Cornish and Hurricane Seafood (Shawn Turnquest) - have been cultivated over years and are grounded in mutual trust, transparency and sustainable harvesting practices.
“These relationships support sustainable fsheries management and beneft both US businesses and Bahamian fshing communities. The tarifs impose economic harm on both sides of a mutually benefcial trade relationship that exemplifes exactly the kind of ethical sourcing the administration should be encouraging, not penalising.”
Besides US importers lobbying their representatives in Congress, Mr LaRoda said the Alliance is planning a similar efort in The Bahamas as time is running out before the US Trade Representative’s planned public hearing on the proposed forced labour-related tarifs on July 7 in Washington D. C.
“I’ve already started to try and get meetings with the Trade Commission to get them to understand the importance of discussing it,” he added, noting that the Department of Marine Resources - with whom the Alliance typically engages in government - is a regulator more than an advocacy body.
“We would have been speaking to the Department of Marine Resources on this to see what could be done, and so far nothing has materialised,” the Alliance chief said. “The Bahamas needs a strong lobbying frm to handle these things whenever they arise.”
Mr LaRoda said the Alliance and other members of the Bahamian fsheries industry are also hoping to speak to Herschel Walker, the US ambassador to The Bahamas, in a bid to “soften the approach to our exports”. He added: “It can’t be done in a vacuum. It has to be done through the Trade Commission. We are happy to be part of the discussions if they are taking place, but we are defnitely going to
NOTICE is hereby given that I, STHERLINE JOSEPH of Shirley Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 19th day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
and operational efciencies as needed during the upcoming fscal period.” Seeking to end on a positive note, the Authority concluded: “The Board of Directors and executives will continue to advocate for sustainable funding mechanisms to support the long-term viability of the NHI Authority and the ongoing delivery of healthcare services to the Bahamian people. NHI Authority remains committed to transparent communication and ongoing collaboration with providers.”
Dr Ian Kelly, an NHI doctor, told Tribune Business that the reference to 86 percent of the Authority’s budget being consumed by compensation payments was misleading as this is being driven by the expansion of provider numbers rather than any rate increase despite infation having risen by at least 30 percent since the scheme started in 2016.
Both he and Dr Archer-Cartwright argued that NHI’s sustainability is being undermined by the constant push to expand the scheme rather than ensure there is
Arab Emirates and Singapore are among the other jurisdictions also set to be hit with tarifs.
be leading it because we are going to be advocating for it, starting with the Trade Commission and the ambassador. It can’t be done in isolation. It has to be with the Trade Commission.
“We are concerned. Any increase in tarifs will defnitely afect our sales to US customers and if they are going to pay that much more for our product they may not buy it. We are competing with Maine lobster, which is not as good, but we are worried. If our US customers cannot sell the volume they are accustomed to, that will afect their bottom line, too.
“A spiny lobster tail landed in Miami could start at $25 a pound but by the time it gets to market it could be $75-$80 a pound. We are exploring new markets, but there is only so much support in terms of market share that’s out there. We cannot just jump into new markets and say: ‘Buy my product’. We may have to start at a low point, which may mean we losing money to gain some traction, which may not be preferable for us.”
Based on feedback submitted by Ryan Pinder KC, The Bahamas’ former attorney general, in March to the frst round of USTR consultation, up to $985m worth of Bahamian exports to the US could be hit by the proposed 12.5 percent tarif based on 2024 data. This nation’s major export was refned petroleum, valued at $610m, while other categories included documents of title ($95.2m), styrene polymers ($55.7m) and pearl products ($39m).
The Bahamas is in good company because the likes of Canada, Australia, the UK, the European Union (EU), Israel, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United
Those that have enacted prohibitions on forced labour goods, or made commitments to do so, will face a lower 10 percent tarif rate, but those who have neither laws nor enforcement - such as The Bahamas - face being subjected to the higher 12.5 percent rate. The proposed Customs Management Act reforms, which are set to be passed into law come July 1, may result in this nation’s exports being subject to the lower 10 percent rate.
Time is now running out for The Bahamas and other nations to head-of, and prevent, the Trump administration turning its threatened tarif imposition into action. The planned measures must now undergo a further round of consultation in Washington D.C., with the deadline for written submissions to the USTR set as July 6, 2026, and public hearings set to begin one day later.
The Customs Management (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduces a new section 208A which stipulates: “The Minister may, by Order, prohibit the importation of any goods, wholly or partially produced or manufactured, from any supplier, country or territory if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the goods are a result of forced labour.”
The Bill’s ‘objects and reasons’ section reafrmed that the change is geared towards “prohibiting goods from suppliers, places or countries that produce forced (child) labour from entering The Bahamas”. What is unknown is whether this will be sufcient to satisfy the Trump administration, given that the USTR seems to be demanding enforcement evidence as well as the enactment of the necessary laws and regulations.
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The public is hereby advised that I, VINCENT LIVINGSTON HUTCHINSON of Nicholls Town Andros, Bahamas, intend to change my name to VINCENT LIVINGSTONE EVANS. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Offcer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I BRENDINA IGNACE of Blue Hill South of Southside House #11, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 26th day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
sufcient fnancing in place to support what already exists. “There has been no increase for me since 2016,” Dr Kelly said. “That [86 percent fgure] doesn’t meant we’ve received any more. It means there are more doctor providers or people enrolled in it.”
He added that his practice is still receiving the same $12.50 per patient, per month capitation rate that providers were paid when the present NHI model was frst launched in 2016 despite expenses increasing substantially since then due to the cost of living crisis.
Dr Archer-Cartwright, meanwhile, said the NHI Authority’s memorandum had merely reinforced doctor concerns that the scheme’s current model is unsustainable without increased funding amid the constant drive for growth in both patients and providers.
And she asserted that the “fscal discipline” mentioned in the note refers to NHI “taxing the physicians” by charging fees for registration, the use of doctors’ own facilities and $300 per month to access the scheme’s electronic medical records. Dr
Archer-Cartwright also said the Authority is frequently switching patients between doctors, moving them from practice to practice.
“Their idea of discipline is they are going to tax the physicians, make the providers pay for the programme,” she argued. “I hear them talk of expanding catastrophic care, and expanding facilities. We are going to be right back to where we are in in six months’ time if they continue to expand the programme and refuse to take input from the providers.
“What they are doing is just adding more and more providers, expanding the programme to other places and the Family Islands when they couldn’t aford what they are doing now. They have accelerated growth without sustaining what they have. It’s very frustrating because there is no action to adjust. For some reason, they think they have a good model of doing things. They don’t seem to respect the physicians.”
UN agency pauses evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after attack on vessel
By JON GAMBRELL, MATTHEW LEE AND KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press
A UNITED Nations agency paused the evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile of the coast of Oman following the passage of several tankers that used a route backed by the U.N.
The head of the International Maritime Organization said the plan to move stranded ships out of the Persian Gulf through the strait will be on hold until the agency can confrm safety guarantees for the ships on the evacuation list and in the region.
The report of a strike came hours after Iran threatened vessels to stop using the route through the strait without Tehran’s permission. The vessel that was attacked was not part of the evacuation efort, said Arsenio Dominguez, the U.N. agency’s secretary-general.
A U.S. ofcial told The Associated Press that the vessel was hit by an Iranian drone.
The ofcial, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation, said the merchant vessel Ever Lovely was attacked by a drone being fown by the Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Following reports of the attack, Iran’s Persian Gulf
Strait Authority — a new government agency established to control shipping in the strait — wrote on X that transit outside its own designated routes “will not be covered by the guarantee of safe passage.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the vessel sustained damage, but it reported no injuries or environmental efects from the attack of the coast of Oman. An alternative passage would relieve pressure on economy
The opening of an alternative passage through the vital waterway would relieve pressure on the world economy and remove Iran’s main source of leverage in ongoing peace talks with the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to the Gulf to reassure American allies, said Washington was committed to the new route and ensuring that ships are able to transit the strait.
“If that stops, then we’re going to have a problem,” Rubio said Thursday before the report of the strike on the ship.
Trafc through the strait increased in recent days but was still well below prewar levels. Oil on Thursday briefy dipped below its last prewar price of just under $73 per barrel, a sign that the market believes the situation is improving.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I, DASHINIQUE CLAUDISHA MICHEL of Baillou Hill Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 19th day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I JOHN JOSEPH of Balfour Avenue House #29A, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 26th day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Immigration reform Sought for years
guidance on when a work permit remains necessary.
“The BCCEC looks forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of this initiative, and to continue advancing reforms that improve The Bahamas’ competitiveness, attract quality investment, create employment opportunities for Bahamians and position
our country as the premier business hub of the Caribbean,” Dr Rolle said. Ralph Hepburn, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, argued that serious investors should already view the the short-term visa fee cost as part of their due diligence.
“A small amount of $200 for any investment, and more than likely your investment is going to be in the millions of dollars, should not be considered
a hindrance to you coming to The Bahamas to have meetings, to do assessments, to do research, and to meet with potential partners and survey the opportunity that’s available to you,” Mr Hepburn said. “If it becomes a hindrance to you coming to The Bahamas to invest, then we have to be cautious as to what type of investor we’re getting, because that’s a very small fee to pay towards a major investment.”
Wall Street drifts to a mixed nish after Micron soars and Apple drops
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
THE U.S. stock market
meandered to a mixed fnish Thursday after several artifcial-intelligence stocks veered back up their roller-coaster ride, while Apple dropped after hiking prices on many of its products.
The S&P 500 fnished nearly unchanged with a dip of less than 0.1% after swinging between gains and losses throughout the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 71 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%.
Micron Technology helped lead the market after jumping 15.7%. The maker of computer memory reported much bigger proft and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, and it gave a stronger growth forecast for the current quarter than Wall Street expected. That helped allay worries a bit that its stock had grown too expensive after coming into the day with a surge of 267% so far this year.
Micron and AI stocks broadly have been under pressure recently because of worries that their profts
can’t possibly keep pace with the tremendous rallies for their stock prices. But beyond Micron, Qualcomm said late Wednesday that the acceleration of the AI era is forcing it to upgrade forecasts for its own growth in upcoming years. They’re the latest signals of the deluge of dollars heading into AI data centers and other investments.
Qualcomm said it expects its revenue outside of handsets, including data centers, to hit $40 billion in its fscal year of 2029, roughly double
its prior target. Qualcomm’s stock rose 3.8%.
But all the strong demand for computer memory and storage that’s driving profts and stock prices higher for producers is also leading to higher costs for customers. Apple on Thursday raised prices for many of its products, including increases of 15% to 20% for Mac computers, according to analysts. Its stock slumped 6.1% and was the single heaviest weight on the S&P 500. SpaceX, meanwhile, fell 1% to drop below $153 for
Mr Hepburn said the cost should be viewed as part of the normal expenses associated with evaluating an investment opportunity rather than as a personal expense. “It’s a cost of doing business,” he said. “It’s something that you can expense out as part of your due diligence and assessment process.”
While supporting reforms, Mr Hepburn argued that the greater issue is ensuring Iimmigration procedures are grounded in legislation
its lowest fnish since its ballyhooed debut on the Nasdaq earlier this month.
All told, the S&P 500 slipped 0.73 to 7,357.49 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 71.72 to 51,960.62, and the Nasdaq composite fell 118.03 to 25,358.60.
In the bond market, Treasury yields eased to lessen the pressure on stocks and other investment prices. They regressed after a report showed infation is behaving pretty much as economists expected.
The report said that a measure of infation hitting U.S. consumers accelerated to 4.1% last month from 3.8% in April, but the hope is that infation is set to ease because of a drop-of in oil prices.
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 2.2% to $75.50 Thursday. But it’s still well of its highs above $100 caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz because of the war, which slowed the global fow of oil. Earlier Thursday, it dropped near its roughly $72 price from before the war.
That helped the yield on the 10-year Treasury slip to 4.39% from 4.41% late Wednesday and from 4.56% earlier this month.
rather than administrative discretion. “The approval process for Immigration matters needs enacted legislation or statute processes rather than policy matters or at the discretion of the minister,” he said. “When they are legislated, then the criterion for all aspects of the process… are enshrined and add protection to the decision-maker as their decision is not perceived as having any bias.”
He also suggested that some Bahamian businesses may mistakenly view visa requirements as discouraging investors when they should instead see them as part of a broader vetting process.
“What would be needed is an educational programme with these business owners to see this as part of the vetting and due diligence process of ascertaining the seriousness and fnancial capabilities of the potential FDI investor,” Mr Hepburn said. “The fee is a small business expense towards a potential major investment.”
Supreme Court strikes
down Hawaii law
requiring permission to carry guns in stores and hotels
By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press
THE Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into stores and hotels on Thursday, in its latest opinion backing Second Amendment rights.
The high court’s 6-3 decision means people can carry guns onto privately owned property like shopping malls and gas stations, unless the owners specifcally say guns are banned at their establishments. It comes shortly after the court found that marijuana users can’t be completely banned from owning frearms. It’s a win for President Donald Trump’s Republican administration, which argued the law violates the Second Amendment. The measure was sometimes referred to as a “vampire rule” because it required people with guns to get permission to enter, according to vampire lore, bloodsuckers need an invitation to enter a home.
Hawaii argued that the 2023 measure ensured private owners could decide whether they wanted frearms on their property.
The state passed the law as thousands more people got legal permission to carry guns in the wake of a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that found the Second Amendment gives most people the right to have guns in public.
About four other states have enacted similar laws, though presumptive restrictions for guns on private property open to the public have also been blocked elsewhere.
Hawaii also restricts guns in places like parks, beaches and restaurants that serve alcohol, but those rules weren’t before the court. They are being challenged in lower courts, however.
The suit before the Supreme Court was fled by a gun rights group, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, and three people from Maui. A judge originally blocked the measure, but an appeals court allowed it to be enforced. Trump’s Republican administration backed the Supreme Court appeal.
The Second Amendment Foundation applauded the ruling. “This law was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to disarm peaceable citizens, and we’re grateful the Supreme Court saw through the ruse,” said Alan Gottlieb, its founder and executive vice president.
The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General said they are disappointed, but will “continue to pursue common-sense regulation of frearms, consistent with the Second Amendment, for the safety of our people.”
The gun-control group Everytown Law pointed out that business owners can still post signs forbidding frearms on their properties. “The Supreme Court may have changed the default rule, but it cannot take away a private property owner’s authority over their own land,” said Janet Carter, managing director of Second Amendment Litigation.
The two Second Amendment decisions this term are the latest in a series of gun cases that have come before the Supreme Court in the wake of its 2022 ruling, which led to a food of challenges to frearm restrictions across the country. The justices have since struck down a ban on bump stocks, gun accessories that enable rapid fring, but upheld a federal gun law intended to protect domestic violence victims as well as strict regulations on frearms known as ghost guns, which are nearly impossible to trace.
NOTICE
Shark Crypto Co Ltd In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business
Companies Act. 2000, Shark Crypto Co Ltd is in dissolution as of June 9, 2026
Davide Romano with address at 14 Rue Jacques-Dalphin, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland is the Liquidator.
SPECIALIST PATRICK KING, left, and trader Dylan Halvorsen work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Photo:Richard Drew/AP
PEOPLE walk past the Waikiki Gun Club, Thursday, June, 23, 2022 in Honolulu.
