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Thursday, sepTember 10, 2026

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Doctors Hospital eyes 33% emergency room fee slash

BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

DOCTORS Hospital plans to slash the deposit requirement for patients to access its emergency room services by one-third after cutting losses on unpaid medical bills and other assets below its annual 3 percent of sales target ratio.

Dennis Deveaux, the BISX-listed healthcare provider’s chief executive, told Tribune Business yesterday it planned to return gains from lower provisions and impairments to patients - as well as shareholders - by improving Bahamian access to medical services and their affordability as he acknowledged that the typical $3,000 emergency room fee was “a big number for many people”.

Speaking just after the company released its audited financials for the year to

Rewarding patients after impairment losses drop further $3m

end-January 2026, he said Doctors Hospital had further cut impairment and provision losses from the “north of $13m” hit just two years ago through a 46 percent yearover-year drop from $6.644m in 2025 to $3.588m.

“Obviously a couple of years ago we had somewhat of a more existential risk given that provisions were north of $13m, which was outside the benchmark we

Bahama Rock: ‘Permanent close’ if approvals rejected

BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMA Rock yesterday confirmed it will likely “close permanently” if the Government fails to approve access to a new aggregate source on the 515-acre former Bahamas Cement Company property that it acquired last year.

The Grand Bahama-based aggregate miner and quarrying firm, in a statement responding to Tribune

Business questions, asserted that such a shutdown will be averted if the Davis administration gives it the go-ahead to access a new materials supply source to replace the one it asserts is now heavily depleted at its current location.

Also affirming that 69 hourly workers are due to be furloughed, or temporarily laid-off for no longer than 60 days, with effect from Monday, September 21, the company reiterated that the

Bahamas Grid: 27 legacy cable faults require repair

BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Grid Company (BGC) says it has cut the backlog of legacy underground electric cable faults by almost 50 percent since it took over management of New Providence’s transmission and distribution network in April.

Dareo McKenzie, its chief executive, in reply to Tribune Business questions said the gris operator has cut these faults from 50 to 27 as it now shifts its focus to an ageing distribution network following completion of its foundational transmission work. He added that Bahamas Grid had inherited

around 50 underground faults from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) when it took over responsibility on April 20.

“Working with our strategic partners, with some assistance from BPL, Bahamas Grid Company has steadily reduced the total number of known distribution faults to 27,” said Mr McKenzie.

The remaining faults are now being targeted through the deployment of an international specialist cable repair team, which was mobilised on Monday and has begun work to isolate, repair and replace the highest-priority faults.

RESOLVE - See Page B7

MP: ‘Written guarantees’ critical for beach vendors

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net AN OPPOSITION MP yesterday demanded written guarantees that properly licensed Cabbage Beach vendors will be allowed to return following proposed erosion control works as the Ministry of Tourism affirmed planned fencing and pilings are temporary and will not restrict public access.

Lincoln Deal, the Freetown MP, whose constituency includes Cabbage Beach, told Tribune that

LINCOLN DEAL vendors want more than verbal assurances as they face potential displacement from one of the island’s

MOVE - See Page B13

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Gov’t urged to ‘pay attention’ to Bahama Rock’s closing threat for local construction Developer warns building sector ‘increasingly uncompetitive’ Industry already hit by price hikes as concrete surges 17%

One-off Gov’t sale boosts profits as 10% margins are targeted Provider ‘thrilled’ by 7.8% jump in pre-hospital patient usage

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Halts some of his projects on ‘prohibitive’ shipping cost tripling DENNIS DEVEAUX

BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net

are targeting,” Mr Deveaux told this newspaper. “But in the year that just concluded, we were well under what we have been.”

He added that the $3.588m impairment loss for the year to end-January 2026 would have been $368,000 lower if Doctors Hospital’s East Bay Street-based Harbourside facility, which has now been sold to the Government in a $29m deal that closed on

March 30, 2026, was stripped out.

“We’re well within the benchmark of under 3 percent [of sales],” Mr Deveaux said of the 2026 financial year’s impairment loss. “We’d like to be under 2 percent.

“What I can foreshadow, having got that bad debt under control, is we are planning on lowering the

loss of its production will likely “double” aggregate costs in The Bahamas for the Government, businesses and citizens.

Bahama Rock, in a presentation made during the July 29 town hall meeting on its project, disclosed that The Bahamas requires more than 350,000 tons of aggregate per year while warning that the loss of its supply source would double the cost of such materials for the Bahamian construction industry and result in delivery costs per ton being “up to 150 percent higher” due to extra import-related expenses.

The company yesterday said any supply loss, or shortage, coupled with price increases would impact road,

home, school, hotel and tourism, disaster relief and other infrastructure needs here in The Bahamas. It also pledged to employ science and technology “to mitigate any potential concerns” nearby Grand Bahama communities and residents have surrounding blasting and environmental impacts from excavation activities at the Bahamas Cement property.

“The company remains committed to exploring opportunities that may allow affected employees to return to work sooner should circumstances permit,” Bahama Rock said of the temporary lay-offs and furloughs that will take place following the

A BAHAMIAN developer yesterday warned this nation will become “increasROBERT MYERS ingly uncompetitive in construction” versus its Caribbean rivals if Bahama Rock’s aggregate production halt leads to protracted supply shortages and worsens already-spiking materials costs.

Robert Myers, principal behind the Windsor Lakes project in south-western New Providence, and head of Capstone Construction, told Tribune Business that a lengthy shutdown by the Grand Bahama-based miner will further exacerbate inflationary pressures for a local building sector that has just suffered a 17 percent hike in concrete prices and experienced “significant” materials cost rises since 2026 started.

Urging the Government to “pay attention” to the threat posed by rising construction prices to real estate and hotel-related development, he revealed that increased shipping costs - caused from oil and fuel price rises sparked by the Middle East conflict - have forced him to halt work on some of his projects because the impact means the financial numbers “don’t make sense any more”.

My Myers, telling this newspaper that it had become “cost prohibitive” to ship from China and other Asian states, acknowledged that shipping costs have recently eased although global oil prices again went past $100 per barrel yesterday.

MINING - See Page B12

DEVELOP - See Page B11

RESULTS - See Page B11

PAGE 2, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 3

Technology critical to agility in economic shock survival E

conomic uncertainty is the only certainty Bahamian businesses can rely on. From the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 to the COVID shutdown of 2020 and the inflation surge that followed, the past two decades have repeatedly tested local enterprise. The owners who survived, and even thrived, were not necessarily the largest or best capitalised. They were the most agile. Today, technology offers an unprecedented set of tools to build that agility into the operating fabric of a business.

The first category of useful technology is visibility. You cannot manage what you cannot see, and most Bahamian businesses operate with surprisingly poor visibility into their own finances.

Cloud accounting platforms such as QuickBooks Online

and Xero have transformed this picture by letting owners see real time profit and loss, cash flow and customer payment status from a phone.

When an economic shock arrives, the business with daily financial visibility responds in days, while the business reviewing finances quarterly responds in months.

The second category is flexibility.

Cloud-based software, accessed from anywhere on any device, allows businesses to operate through disruption that would have crippled previous generations. The hurricane that closes an office no longer closes the business, because staff can continue work from wherever they have Internet. The travel restrictions that prevented a buyer from visiting suppliers no longer ends

procurement because video calls and digital documentation handle the relationship.

The third category is automation. Tools that handle repetitive work allow lean teams to deliver more without proportional increases in cost. E-mail marketing platforms send communications automatically. Booking systems confirm and remind customers without staff intervention. Payment processors collect and reconcile without manual effort. When economic pressure hits and budgets tighten, automation lets a business hold service quality steady while reducing labour intensity.

The fourth category is data. Business intelligence tools, increasingly affordable for small operators, expose patterns that human review would miss. Which customers are most profitable? Which

Union voices frustration on FIU industrial deal progress

BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A TRADE union yesterday alleged that frustration is growing among Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) staff after almost a year of negotiations have left their industrial agreement still unsigned despite most terms being settled.

Nicole Francis, the Regulatory and Allied Workers Union (RAWU) president, said the agreement is about 98 percent complete, with the only outstanding issue involving personal days, while it is still awaiting details of a financial package that Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance financial secretary, confirmed has been approved.

“We should be in the final stages. There is only one matter that needs to be resolved, but the director of the FIU is stalling on signing the industrial agreement.

We don't know why. We're not getting an answer from him as to why he wants to stall this process,” said Ms Francis.

She added that the union is also waiting to see the actual figures contained in the financial package following an August 26 meeting with Mr Wilson. “If the financial package is approved, we're still waiting to actually

see the correct numbers for the financial package,” said Ms Francis.

“We're wondering why is it taking so long? Why is it being stalled when this matter could have already been resolved and our industrial agreement could have already been signed?”

The RAWU was recognised as the bargaining agent for permanent and pensionable FIU staff on July 29, 2025, and said it formally approached the agency to begin negotiations in September of that year. The FIU analyses suspicious transaction reports received from financial institutions and passes the findings on to the police for further investigation.

D’Anthra Adderley, the RAWU secretary-general, said the union did not receive an immediate response and was required to follow up before the process moved forward.

“We reached out formally in September of last year because we got our determination from the Department of Labour that we're the duly recognised bargaining agent for the permanent and pensionable staff of the FIU on July 29, 2025,” said Ms Adderley.

“Once we had that certificate, we were then able to approach or write the employer, according to the Industrial Relations

Act, and say we're the duly recognised union or bargaining agent for this group of people at your place of employment, and they want representation. That's why we're here, and we want to sit down and negotiate with you.”

The first meeting between the parties was not held until November 14, 2025, according to RAWU. Ms Adderley said the union had reminded the FIU of the statutory timeframe for responding to its request to negotiate, with the agency ultimately using the full period available to it.

She said the lengthy process was particularly frustrating because most of the articles in the proposed industrial agreement have now been settled.

“Most of the articles already been agreed upon.

So what is the hold-up? Like, just let's get this done. Let's get this to the registrar for the trade unions. Who’s a lawyer who has to vet the document, ensure that it's in compliance with the law, and let's get this thing certified,” said Ms Adderley.

“What is the hold-up?

I mean, I would think he would want to do this in the best interest of the staff because this is what they want. This isn't what one or two persons want.”

The remaining dispute centres on personal days, which Ms Adderley said

products are losing money?

Which marketing channels deliver actual returns? When uncertainty arrives, these answers become the difference between cutting the right costs and cutting the wrong ones.

The Bahamian economy has structural exposures that make these tools particularly valuable. Our heavy dependence on tourism creates vulnerability to global travel disruptions. Our import reliance creates exposure to shipping and currency volatility. Our small domestic market creates concentration risk for businesses serving local customers. None of these exposures can be eliminated, but each can be navigated more skilfully with better tools.

Practical preparation does not require massive investment. A small business can

implement most of what matters for under $200 per month in software costs, and these costs are largely tax deductible operating expenses. Cloud accounting, a payroll platform, a basic CRM, an e-mail marketing tool and reliable cloud storage cover the essentials. The investment pays for itself many times over the first time a real disruption arrives.

The cultural shift required is often harder than the technical one. Owners who pride themselves on knowing their

were previously provided to FIU employees under their employee handbook. She said staff had two personal days until January 2025, when the benefit was withdrawn and employees were told to use vacation days instead.

She said the RAWU viewed the issue as part of a wider effort to improve employee benefits through the industrial agreement.

“The point of an industrial agreement is to improve upon existing benefits,” Ms Adderley said.

Among the other changes negotiated, she said, is a system that would tie vacation entitlement more closely to an employee's length of service, rather than providing the same entitlement regardless of tenure.

RAWU said the agreement is also intended to address broader concerns over working conditions, human resources practices and staff benefits. Ms Francis said the agreement was important because FIU

employees deserved “a better working condition and structure” at the agency.

Ms Adderley said staff morale is currently low, with some employees considering leaving because of limited opportunities for career advancement and concerns about the working environment.

The union's frustration comes as the FIU prepares for a major international assessment of The Bahamas' anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is scheduled to conduct its on-site mutual evaluation from October 19 to 30, 2026, with FIU staff working to clear backlogs and prepare for the assessment.

Ms Adderley said the union supports the FIU's preparations, but questioned the timing of the continued delay in finalising the staff agreement.

“There are a number of organisations, which

KEITH

ROYE II

numbers in their head must learn to trust dashboards.

Managers who built careers on personal control must learn to delegate to systems.

Staff who fear that automation threatens their jobs must learn it actually protects them by making the business more resilient.

Economic uncertainty will continue. The Bahamian businesses that prepare with appropriate technology will move through future shocks with options, while those who rely on outdated practices will be forced into reactive cost cutting that often damages long-term capacity. Preparation is no longer a luxury for large enterprises. It is the price of staying in business through whatever comes next.

• NB: About Keith Keith Roye II is a highly analytic and solutions-driven professional with extensive experience in software development. He holds a BSc in computer science and his career includes leading and delivering global software projects in various industries in The Bahamas and the US.

includes us, that are going to be assessed to see where we stand, and that has even bigger impacts. And so, to go into something like that with the staff not satisfied, the morale is low here,” she said. “I never thought when we started this process last September that this would have taken this long.”

RAWU said it is now calling on the Government to intervene, including Michael Halkitis, minister of finance, and Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, to help bring the negotiations to a conclusion.

Ms Adderley said the union believes the Prime Minister should take a closer look at the situation at the FIU, while noting that the agency falls under the Ministry of Finance. “As far as we know, he wants this done,” she said of Mr Halkitis.

RAWU said it remains prepared to return to negotiations if necessary, but wants the current agreement finalised and submitted for the required legal review and certification.

PAGE 4, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas statistical system prepares for strengthening Representatives of BNSI and participating stakeholder organizations gather for a meeting supporting the development of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS).

PLANS for strengthening The Bahamas national statistical system, so that it can better support evidence-based decision-making by policymakers and national development, were recently discussed by the National Statistical Committee (NSC) The Committee’s meeting was convened by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) as part of efforts to advance the national strategy for the development of statistics (NSDS). The latter brings together representatives from bodies that produce and use official statistics.

The BNSI, in a statement, said the latest meeting builds on the National Statistical Committee’s (NSC) first gathering in March 2026, when members identified development of the NSDS as a key priority.

Supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the NSDS development process aims to strengthen BNSI and the wider national statistical system, helping The Bahamas produce and share more timely, accessible and reliable official statistics.

The NSDS will also help identify what needs to be improved, where resources should be directed, and how institutions can work together more effectively.

Dr Jamiko Deleveaux, the BNSI’s managing director and chairman of the National Statistical Committee, emphasised that strengthening the statistical system requires collaboration beyond any one single institution.

“No man is an island, and for us to build a strong national statistical system, it’s dependent on every government agency, private sector organisation and nonprofit organisation to come together and utilise the data to help tell the story of The Bahamas,” he said.

The BNSI said a stronger national statistical system can provide policymakers with a clearer understanding of current conditions, and a more reliable foundation for planning in areas such as health, education and socioeconomic development.

Geoffrey Greenwell, an IDB consultant supporting the NSDS development process, said: “The national strategy for the development of statistics, or the NSDS, should achieve a level of collaboration within the national statistical system.

“So institutions are not just buildings; institutions are the inter-agency relationships that develop across time. The NSDS is about building those relationships across agencies that help the unit act as one.”

Mr Greenwell pointed to the importance of an

up-to-date national registry of dwellings and housing, particularly in a country exposed to hurricanes. Such information can support census work while also helping authorities identify where people live and respond more effectively when emergencies occur.

Don Williams, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC) chairman, added that businesses and industry rely on statistics to understand changing conditions, identify opportunities and make decisions about future growth.

“We, as a country, need to strengthen our national statistics. It is imperative because it is those statistics that allow industries, businesses, even the Government, to make key decisions in terms of not just the current way that they do business, but also for future impact,” Mr Williams said.

He added that statistics can help businesses understand new policies, products and services, improve efficiency, and identify opportunities to scale locally and globally.

As the NSDS development process continues, the BNSI said data producers and users will work together to identify shared priorities and establish a framework to guide statistical investment, programming and operations across The Bahamas.

In November, the NSDS will host a three-day workshop to bring together data producers and users to map out key priorities, vision and strategic data collection for the next ten years, followed by the launch of the National Statistical Strategy in April 2027.

Once developed and adopted, the NSDS is expected to provide a foundation for strengthening The Bahamas’ statistical capacity over the years ahead. For Bahamians, the long-term value of this work lies in better information about the country’s needs and a stronger basis for decisions affecting public policy, business, national development and daily life.

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Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 5

‘Porky’ targeting gas station rebuild after 53-year career

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net AFTER 53 years in the petroleum retail business, Bernard “Porky” Dorsett is yesterday said he is still dreaming big with plans to tear down his existing Rubis service station and rebuild it with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Mr Dorsett, who operates Porky’s Rubis Service Station on East Street south, was honoured by the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association (BPRA) for his decades of service and advocacy for the industry.

But, rather than treating the recognition as the culmination of his career, the veteran retailer said he is already preparing for his next major project: Demolishing and rebuilding his station.

“This is only some of the dreams I have,” he said.

“I’m a good dreamer. I’ve been dreaming all my life.

Everything you see around me started with a dream.

And this was one of the dreams that I hoped one day would happen, and today is the day.”

Mr Dorsett said he began in the petroleum business in 1972, after previously operating on Madeira Street before moving to his current location. His next goal is to reposition the station, moving the building towards the back of the property and changing its orientation to create what he believes will be a better layout.

“My dream now is to knock the building down and start a new one before I leave this place,” he said.

“Fellows say, ‘But Porky, you just spend all this money on there’. I say, ‘You ever go to the US? One day you see it and then you don’t see it?’ I ready to take this one down and put it where it’s supposed to be.

It in the wrong place right now.”

Mr Dorsett said preliminary work is already under way, with his older brother preparing the drawings for the redevelopment. “I trying to move some of the garbage out now so I could start,” he said.

“My older brother… is doing the drawing right now, and once we get that finally approved, we’re trying to figure how we can

keep the station open while we do the work we’re doing.

But, hey, we’re working on it.”

The redevelopment is also expected to reflect Mr Dorsett’s embrace of electric vehicles (EVs), with plans to install at least six EV chargers at the rebuilt station. Mr Dorsett, who has driven an electric vehicle for about five years, said the shift toward EVs is already changing what customers will expect from businesses.

“I drive an EV, so we gone to have some of them chargers on the site,” he said. Mr Dorsett said convenience will be critical as EV adoption grows, noting that he once had to spend nearly 40 minutes charging his vehicle after forgetting to charge it at home.

“I had to end up going to Carmichael Road and sit on the side of the road for almost 40 minutes to put some charge in my car because I forgot to charge it that night,” he added.

Mr Dorsett also used his recognition to renew his call for greater Bahamian ownership of petroleum stations, arguing that dealers who have invested their

lives and money into the industry should ultimately own the assets they operate.

“The key is, and always had been pushed, is we got to own what we work with,” he said. “We need to own it. We need to own it. We need to have these foreigners turn over these stations to the people that run them. The people who put all their money in it, put their whole life in it. They’re the people who need to run these stations.”

Mr Dorsett also criticised the impact of rising fuel prices on retailers, arguing that government revenue increases alongside pump prices while dealers’ margins remain fixed.

“Our problem is we don’t control gas prices,” he said.

“Whatever they throw at us, we got to take it. My only concern is, the higher gas price go, the more money the government make, the less money we make.”

Mr Dorsett said retailers receive a fixed margin per gallon while government revenue increases as fuel prices rise. “We make 76 cents on every gallon of gas we sell, whether we buy it for $3 or sell it for $10,” he said. “That’s the difference.”

Fusion upgrades VIP for ‘Pure’ cinema experience

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net FUSION Superplex is investing in a phased refurbishment of its Pure VIP theatres as it seeks to elevate the premium cinema experience, bring food and beverage operations back in-house and streamline transactions through a new cashless model.

Tecoyo Bridgewater, Fusion Superplex’s co-founder, chief legal and

risk management officer, and in-house legal counsel, said the upgrades are being rolled out in phases, with the first focused on introducing a full-service dining experience operated directly by Fusion.

He did not disclose the total investment being made in the refurbishment or provide projected revenue gains from the upgraded offering.

“We are upgrading Pure VIP in phases, with our guests’ comfort in mind at every step,” Mr Bridgewater

FUSION SUPERPLEX said. “Phase one, a direct response to customers’ feedback, brings a full-service dining experience, now proudly run directly by the Fusion team.

“Phase two, coming in the months ahead, will refresh

the space and introduce upgraded seating for an even more elevated night out.” Fusion said the move to full-service dining marks a return to an operating model it previously used in Pure VIP.

He also pushed back against calls for wider adoption of self-service pumps, arguing that the change could threaten the livelihoods of pump attendants.

“The only thing about self-service to me is we got some folks who make a living at these pumps,” Mr Dorsett said.

“So we going to send plenty of them home. And in this day and age, that ain’t the place we need to go right now.” He added that pump attendants can also supplement their income through tips.

“We got pump attendants take home $50, $60 every day as a tip. So he takes his job serious,” Mr Dorsett said. The BPRA recognition brought together fellow petroleum retailers, who described Mr Dorsett as a pioneer and long-standing advocate for dealers.

Peter Roker, operator of Roker’s Gas Station, said the Association wanted to use the occasion not only to honour Mr Dorsett but to highlight the succession of Bahamian ownership within the sector.

“It’s a great pleasure for the BPRA, Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association, to honour one of our most distinguished dealers, petroleum dealers, Porky,” Mr Roker said.

“But you know, we’re putting the icing on the cake today, and what we’re doing is we’re showing the country, The Bahamas, the lineage, the succession plan

that some Bahamians have in place.”

Mr Roker said petroleum dealers contributed money towards the honour, with any excess funds to be donated to a charity selected by Mr Dorsett.

Harold Watson, another petroleum station operator, described Mr Dorsett as a pioneer and “very aggressive young fellow”. Eulease Johnson, operator of Shell Wulff Road and Shell Harold Road, called Mr Dorsett her hero.

“Mr Porky, Mr Dorsett, is my hero,” she said. “He’s a warrior and an indomitable spirit. He is not afraid to take on challenges, and we need somebody like him in every sector of our community.”

Oswald Moore, operator of Rubis East West Highway and Rubis Harbour Bay stations, said Mr Dorsett has remained a strong voice within the industry.

“He speaks strong,” he said.

“He voices his opinion, and he’s a strong part of The Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association.”

And Clyde Rashad, operator of Esso on Wulff Road and Soldier Road, said Mr Dorsett has spent decades fighting for dealers’ interests.

“I’ve been in the business about 25 years, and from day one, he’s been a very strong advocate for our rights as dealers, and it’s never stopped,” Mr Rashad said. “And even at 80 he’s still doing it.”

“The dining experience in Pure VIP is now proudly run in-house by Fusion,” Mr Bridgewater said. “We operated the food and beverage experience in Pure since we opened in 2018 to 2024.

“We are now returning to providing our guests with a full-service dining experience built around a curated menu. The external vendor menu is no longer being served inside of the Pure VIP cinemas.”

The revamped Pure VIP experience will also operate entirely without cash, with customers able to pay using debit cards, credit cards and approved electronic payment methods.

Mr Bridgewater said the decision reflects existing customer payment habits, although Fusion did not provide a specific percentage of customers who currently pay electronically.

“The majority of our guests already prefer paying electronically, so this move is really about meeting them where they are,” he said. “Going cashless helps us serve them faster and more smoothly, start to finish.”

The cashless policy comes after Fusion experienced a cyber attack that caused a prolonged disruption to its online ticketing system,

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PAGE 6, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamian conservation fund rated by world climate body THE Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF) yesterday said it has been rated as the only locally-based body able to support projects backed by the world’s largest climate fund.

BPAF, in a statement, hailed its assessment and

endorsement by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as being able to back delivery of the latter’s initiatives as “another major international milestone”.

It added that the recognition follows BPAF’s successful completion of the

GCF’s financial management capacity assessment (FMCA), which involved a rigorous review of its financial systems and capacity to administer resources responsibly.

As a result, BPAF said it is now eligible to receive, manage, implement and report on GCF Readiness grants. It added that this also creates a stronger pathway for climate finance resources to be managed within The Bahamas, while building lasting local expertise and institutional capacity.

Karen Panton, BPAF’s executive director, said: “This recognition, which comes after a year of strategic planning and capacity building, is an important milestone for BPAF and for The Bahamas.

“It affirms the strength of our financial architecture, Board governance and our ability to serve as a trusted national partner in advancing climate action.

More importantly, it opens new opportunities to connect international climate

finance with the needs and priorities of Bahamian communities”.

BPAF described the GCF as the world’s largest dedicated climate fund, which supports developing countries such as The Bahamas in pursuing low-emission, climate-resilient development. Its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme helps countries strengthen the institutions, governance systems and technical capacity required to plan for, access and effectively manage climate finance.

BPAF added that the endorsement strengthens the Fund’s standing as a financial manager in climate and conservation finance, and its status as a trusted intermediary for the Government. It can also hold itself out as a credible partner for donors seeking to work through a Bahamian organisation, as its financial systems have been assessed by the GCF. The endorsement also allows more of the knowledge, systems and experience associated

with international climate finance to be developed and retained within The Bahamas. BPAF said this is particularly important for this nation, as climate change threatens coastal communities, freshwater resources, livelihoods and critical ecosystems.

BPAF, which was established and given legal footing by an Act of Parliament in 2014, said it successfully secured funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, via the German Development Bank, and administered by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund for critical assessments and recovery, in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

The funding, totalling $1.4m, supported initiatives on Grand Bahama and Abaco, including mangrove assessments and recovery, marine mammal research, marine protected area (MPA) management and enforcement, and the strengthening of forests through groundwater restoration.

BPAF then signed a conservation agreement with the Bahamian government and The Nature Conservancy in 2024 to receive and manage conservation funding of $124m over 15 years.

Rochelle Newbold, director of the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit at the Office of the Prime Minister, said: “The Bahamas having passed the age of 50 as an independent country continues to exhibit global leadership and a clear ability to govern its own resources.

“We are all very proud that BPAF has achieved this honour, and has been internationally recognised as having the ability to do so. It is indeed a great achievement for the country as we no longer need another country or a foreign entity to act as proxy for The Bahamas in its management of international environmental funds.”

The GCF’s endorsement of BPAF helps lay the foundation for a more nationally-driven approach to climate action where Bahamian institutions are not only beneficiaries of international support but are also equipped to create, manage and account for climate finance initiatives.

To-date, BPAF has issued more than $3.9m in grant funds to government departments and local non-profits.

$5m grant funding launched for Bahamas climate projects BAHAMIAN groups focused on agriculture, fisheries, health, coastal protection and disaster preparedness now have the chance to bid for a share of up to $5m in grant funding.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement yesterday, said organisations will have an opportunity to access grant funding for locally-led climate resilience projects via the Climate Actions for Building Resilience in Coastal Communities (CABRIC) programme in the Caribbean.

Three islands - Cat Island, San Salvador and Long Island - will receive special focus in an attempt to address challenges such as coastal erosion, extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation and threats to livelihoods.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the programme is open to Bahamian community-based organisations, civil society organisations, non-governmental organ-

ADVERTISE TODAY! CALL THE TRIBUNE TODAY @ 502-2394

isations (NGOs), local authorities, professional associations and non-profit academic and research institutions.

Supported by the Green Climate Fund, CABRIC combines grant financing, capacity building and community-led action to help vulnerable Caribbean communities respond to climate change.

Around $25m has been allocated across the five participating countries - The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia - with an estimated US$5 million available to each country. Organisations may apply for three grant categories. Small grants will be issued up to a maximum limit of $150,000, while medium and large grants will range from $150,000 to $300,000, and $300,000 to $500,000, respectively.

The funding will support projects across six areas: Climate resilient agriculture; climate resilient and ecosystem-based fisheries; restorative and protective coastal nature-based solutions; early warning systems and emergency health risk management; gender and socially responsive

mental health initiatives; and socially-inclusive community health clinics and shelters.

Alongside funding, CABRIC will strengthen the ability of local organisations and institutions to plan and implement climate adaptation projects.

The programme will also promote knowledge sharing and the replication of successful approaches across the Caribbean, helping communities protect ecosystems, improve livelihoods and strengthen health and well-being.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) serves as programme manager.

The Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF) is the designated national grant administrator, responsible for implementation and oversight in The Bahamas.

The Prime Minister’s Office said projects will be selected through a competitive review process that includes eligibility screening and technical evaluation. Funding for approved projects will be disbursed in phases linked to performance and reporting milestones.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 7

EY’s Bahamian regional head to retire after 39-year career EY’s (Ernst & Young) regional managing partner for The Bahamas and other Caribbean territories is stepping down after 39 years with the accounting firm.

Michele Thompson, who also oversees the firm’s operations in Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Cayman Islands, is retiring with effect from October 1 to be succeeded

by Bill Bailey, EY’s regional tax leader.

Ms Thompson joined EY’s predecessor, Cross & Thomas/Arthur Young, in 1987. She was made a partner in 2001, and went on to become the firm’s regional assurance leader in 2010. Her tenure includes barrier-breaking appointments among the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms, such as being named the first

Michele Thompson, EY regional managing partner. female Bahamas country managing partner in 2012, and the first female regional managing partner in 2023.

Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, regional wealth and asset management leader, and EY Bahamas country managing partner, said: “Michele is a transformational leader,

Specialist repair team in two-week Nassau stint RESOLVE - from page B1 Mr McKenzie said the specialist team will remain in New Providence for two weeks, although the wider repair programme will continue until all identified faults have been resolved.

“Some repairs may be completed quickly, while others will require more extensive excavation and replacement work,” he said.

The intervention comes as Bahamas Grid turns its attention from the transmission backbone to the wider distribution system, which Mr McKenzie said contains considerable ageing infrastructure, including underground cables, underground joints, switching equipment and certain substation assets.

“The foundational transmission work scope has all been completed to-date,” he said. “Bahamas Grid

Company is now focused on a comprehensive strategy to improve system reliability by addressing the broader legacy distribution system challenges.”

Mr McKenzie said significant investment in the transmission backbone has improved resilience and stability at the transmission level, but stressed that the distribution network represents a separate and broader challenge.

“The underground cable faults that we are currently targeting for repair are just one area of the legacy infrastructure, and represent an important focus area in our broader reliability improvement programme,” he said.

Bahamas Grid has previously acknowledged that customers have faced repeated and extended outages in recent months, and Mr McKenzie said the targeted underground faults have contributed to some of

who realised a period of sustained growth and innovation for the entire region.

Her unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions to our clients, the community and EY have left an indelible mark.

“She is a true role model to all young women on how to be steadfast in achieving one’s goals. As a working mother, Michele showed us it’s possible to achieve a work/life balance with poise and grace. The legacy she leaves behind will continue to resonate, shaping our future for years to come.

“In order to continue shaping future generations, EY Bahamas has honoured Michele’s focus on education by introducing the Michele Thompson Scholarship Fund,” Ms Norris-Pilcher added.

“This scholarship will assist

young Bahamians majoring in accounting or science, technology, engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at the University of The Bahamas, covering living expenses in addition to tuition.”

Ms Thompson said: “I congratulate Bill on this well-deserved and important career milestone.

With Bill at the helm, I am confident that we are well-positioned to deliver long-term value to the region. Having worked closely with Bill over the years, I have been consistently impressed by his passion for exceptional client service and his dedication to nurturing top talent.”

Mr Bailey added: “It’s an incredible privilege for me to succeed Michele as regional managing partner,

and I want to thank her for her tremendous contributions to our clients, the community and our people.

“With the support of my talented EY colleagues across the region, I look forward to building on Michele’s track record of success by delivering solutions to organisations and governments, helping them to shape the future with confidence despite a constantly-evolving economic landscape.

“Under Michele’s leadership, EY has been markedly expanding its presence here in The Bahamas across our Freeport and Nassau locations,” Mr Bailey added.

“Our decades-long presence continues to provide Bahamians with rewarding careers, training and internships, and we look forward to honouring Michele’s legacy by providing excellent service to our clients here for decades more to come.”

those interruptions, particularly when failures occur on critical underground circuits.

He said underground cable faults can also make outages more difficult and time-consuming to resolve because locating the fault, excavating the affected area and carrying out the repair can take considerable time.

“For that reason, addressing these legacy faults is one of the initiatives Bahamas Grid Company is undertaking to improve reliability and reduce the duration and frequency of service interruptions,” said Mr McKenzie.

However, he warned that the company’s reliability programme cannot focus solely on underground cables because the grid is made up of a complex network of interconnected overhead and underground equipment, electrical components and cables installed over many decades.

Many of those assets are now approaching the end of their useful life, while reliability can also be affected by weather-related damage,

electrical stress from peak loading, equipment failures, poor workmanship, inadequate routine preventative maintenance and vegetation.

“Given this, Bahamas Grid Company’s strategy is to take a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of the grid as part of our reliability programme,” Mr McKenzie said.

The grid operator is also looking beyond the 27 known faults to identify weaknesses in exposed sections of underground cable before they result in customer outages.

Mr McKenzie said the specialist team’s work will therefore extend beyond simply clearing the existing backlog, with Bahamas Grid seeking to identify potential future failures in a preventative approach.

The repair programme is expected to require excavation in some areas, potentially causing temporary traffic disruptions,

particularly across the northern New Providence underground network.

Mr McKenzie said Bahamas Grid Company is working closely with the Department of Public Works to co-ordinate traffic management, and intends to provide advance notice to affected communities, motorists, businesses and residents before work begins at specific locations.

He said the remaining faults generally reduce system redundancy and operational flexibility, which in turn affects overall reliability.

While Bahamas Grid Company declined to provide a specific cost for the specialist engagement, Mr McKenzie said the work forms part of a much larger grid reinvestment programme that is expected to total “several million dollars annually”.

“The programme is a reinvestment into the grid

by Bahamas Grid as part of

our ongoing commitment to modernising the grid and improving service reliability for our customers,” he said.

“We view this investment as necessary to address long-standing infrastructure defects to strengthen grid reliability.”

Mr McKenzie said Bahamas Grid’s approach will be to make targeted investments designed to deliver measurable improvements in reliability and customer service, while creating a more modern and resilient transmission and distribution grid capable of meeting current and future load growth.

The company said weather conditions could affect the pace of the current repair programme, but it intends to keep consumers and other stakeholders updated through its communication channels as the work progresses.

L to R: Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, EY Bahamas country managing partner; Bill Bailey, EY regional managing partner-elect; Michele Thompson, EY regional managing partner.

PAGE 8, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

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We all went “4442!” in 6 Ear part sympathy.

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THE TRIBUNE

JUDGE PARKER

CARPE DIEM

5

Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out

4

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SUMTHING

MARVIN

Fit the missing numbers into the grid so that all the sums are correct – reading left to right or on single lines top to bottom. There are 11 squares to fill, with one digit in each, and the 11 digits you must use are listed below.

But where do they all go?

Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out

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Here are the missing digits to fit in:

0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8

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YE HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

TIGER

SAMURAI SUDOKU

WORDSEARCH

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SMALL CROSSWORD Across: 1 Alongside, 7 Heeded, 9 Actions, 10 Keep, 12 Has, 13 Shortly, 14 New, 15 Echo, 17 Capital, 19 Depths, 20 Enjoyable.

Down: 1 Awakened, 2 Lace, 3 Out, 4 Geography, 5 Senate, 6 Decay, 8 Dissolve, 11 Potato, 13 Seven, 16 Hall, 18 Tub.

CALVIN & HOBBES

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Across: Chief, Justice, Brav Portables, Cyst, Liar, Gnocch Yolk, Serenades, Wrath, Lev Down: Comics, Hardy, Eked, Flop, Ouzo, Waged, Quota, C Stability, Acme, Latex, Struc

CROSS DOUBT Across: OLIVE Down: ALONE

SUMMIT UP 99 and 100

DENNIS THE MENACE

CRYPTOQUOTE AXYDLBAAXR is L O N G F E L L O W One letter stands for another. In this example, A is used for the three L’s, X for the 2 O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

MICRO CROSSWORD

CHALLENGER

Yesterday’s Answers

PAGE 10, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 11

Gov’ts debt to Doctors up $2.5m or 33% at over $9m RESULTS - from page B1 deposit requirements for the emergency room in New Providence by 33 percent. In order to grow the business, we need to return some of that improvement in efficiency in lower deposit rates.

“Traditionally, folks know an emergency room visit is an expensive ordeal and, generally, it is going to cost $3,000 depending on what happens,” he added.

“We plan to lower that 33 percent. That reflects getting costs under control, and reflects management’s ability to control uncompensated care.

“We don’t want that uncompensated care raising the price point for everyone.

We want to manage uncompensated care responsibly and reflect appropriate price points for these services.

Make no mistake; that’s [$3,000] a big number for many people. We have to think of ways to make out-patient services, emergency room services, more accessible. Our first requirement is to lower that deposit requirement by 33 percent.”

Doctors Hospital has always had to strike a balance between ensuring patients always receive the care they need and keeping “uncompensated care”, which means unpaid medical bills owed by patients, insurers and other thirdparty payers, such as the Government under control.

On its income statement,

they remain a key factor driving impairment and provision losses, with a $3.57m hit taken during the 2026 financial year.

And, on its balance sheet, these outstanding medical bills rose by almost $4.5m or 13.7 percent year-overyear for the 12 months to end-January 2026, growing from $40.03m in 2025 to $45.517m. A net $9.34m of the latter figure was owed by patients themselves as at January 31, 2026, with the majority $36.176m due from third-party payers such as Bahamian life and health insurance companies.

Doctors Hospital’s financials also reveal that, included in the $36.176m figure, is $9.906m owed by the Government of The Bahamas for unpaid medical bills. The sum due from the Government had risen by almost $2.5m year-over-year or 32.9 percent, growing from $7.454m to $9.907m, although the BISX-listed healthcare provider made minimal $73,907 provisions for this debt.

Mr Deveaux told Tribune Business that Doctors Hospital’s 2026 financial performance showed it had “fully executed” on its Vision 2025 strategic plan to establish a national healthcare infrastructure throughout The Bahamas primarily by adding primary care locations on multiple islands.

It turned a $905,603 net loss for its 2025

financial year, resulting primarily from the Grand Bahama hospital and other investments it is making to generate future growth, into an $11.496m net profit for the 12 months to end-January 2026. The latter, though, was boosted by a one-time $7.421m gain on the finance lease associated with the now-sold Harbourside complex.

Mr Deveaux, though, asserted that stripping this gain out would still leave Doctors Hospital with a $4.075m profit for the 2026 financial year, which represented a more than $5m turnaround or positive reversal from the prior period’s $905,603 loss. He added that the non-Harbourside profits were still a decent return for shareholders, at more than 3 percent of patient services revenue, as the company targets 10 percent medium-term profit margins.

And the Doctors Hospital chief also pointed to increased patient use of its multiple pre-hospital, or primary, services locations, with utilisation rates increasing by 7.8 percent.

Stripping out new locations which only opened during the 2026 financial year, and only comparing those that were already functioning during the prior year, he added, pushed that utilisation rate increase close to 10 percent.

“I think the fiscal year that ended on January 31,

‘Last thing we want to do is jack up locally-made material’ DEVELOP - from page B1 He warned that the fallout from any Bahama Rock closure “could kill development in the Family Islands”, which are already far more expensive than Nassau, and added: “The last thing we want to do is jack up the price of materials produced locally.”

The former Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chairman’s warning echoes that of Bahama Rock itself, which warned during the public consultation meeting on its proposed Freeport Harbour expansion that The Bahamas could lose its entire supply of 350,000 aggregate tons per year if the project did not receive the necessary government approvals to proceed (see other article on Page 1B).

Bahama Rock’s presentation, from the July 29 town hall meeting, forewarned and left little room for doubt as to what the likely impact would be as it asserted that its demise would force Bahamian contractors and other industries to import higher-costing aggregate from overseas. It estimated that such material would cost double what it takes to produce this locally, with delivery costs “up to 150 percent higher per ton”.

Mr Myers, reacting to Bahama Rock’s plan to temporarily, at least, cease production from next Friday for 60 days amid uncertainty over if it will receive the necessary approvals to access a new aggregate source with its existing one now depleted, said much of the initial construction

industry impact will depend on how much material the company has stockpiled in reserve.

“I don’t know what stockpile they have,” he told Tribune Business. “If they have three months of stockpile, people will have to seek alternative sources and that will also push prices up.

Concrete just went up; it went up 17 percent.

“If we now have to bring in aggregate from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, wherever, or the US, you can be sure - because of the additional shipping costs that things will go up even higher.

“The Government has to pay attention to the fact there is a very high likelihood, if construction prices keep going up because of this type of situation, we are going to become uncompetitive in construction versus our peers in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other islands where they are mining and have lower prices on cement, concrete and things like that,” Mr Myers added.

“Already this year we have suffered quite significant increases on materials in the construction industry.” Mr Myers said many of these price hikes related to increased import expenses due to the Middle East conflict’s impact on shipping costs through the jump in global oil and fuel prices.

“Shipping prices have tripled because of what’s happened in the Middle East,” he told this newspaper.

“I’ve stopped construction on some of my projects because it doesn’t make sense any more. We

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000 PINK SAPPHIRE LTD. IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION

NOTICE is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of The International Business Companies Act, 2000, PINK SAPPHIRE LTD. is in dissolution.

The date of commencement of the dissolution was the 8th day of September, 2026.

Mr. Michael C. Miller, P.O. Box EE-17971, Nassau, Bahamas is the liquidator of PINK SAPPHIRE LTD. Michael C. Miller Liquidator INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000 OVER YONDER S.A.

IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION

NOTICE is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of The International Business Companies Act, 2000, OVER YONDER S.A. is in dissolution.

The date of commencement of the dissolution was the 8th day of September, 2026.

Mr. Michael C. Miller, P.O. Box EE-17971, Nassau, Bahamas is the liquidator of OVER YONDER S.A. Michael C. Miller Liquidator

cannot afford to ship in from China or anywhere in Asia. It could be Japan. It’s cost prohibitive.”

Mr Myers acknowledged that shipping costs have eased from the $9,600 per container that was being paid during the 2026 first quarter, with prices down now to around $6,000$8,000 per trailer, but added that this had hit as high as $11,000 at one point. “Shipping prices have moved a little bit, which is good,” he added. “They are off 30-40 percent from the high, but there’s 50 percent more to come down to get a little more palatable.

“But, at the same time, material prices have gone up, which is costly for everybody. And if we have to import, then you have duty, VAT and all the stuff on top of that. Is it [Bahama Rock’s closure] risky, is it detrimental to the construction industry? Time will tell.

I would advise the Government that, if they want to de-risk the cost, to look at these projects and figure out

2026, really represented the end of our Vision 2025 planning cycle. When we set out to grow and create a national footprint in The Bahamas, we looked at 2025,” he told Tribune Business. “The good news is that we not only generated an acceptable return for shareholders, but we saw there was quite a bump up as well on our top-line.

“The entire spectrum of pre-hospital services grew on a net basis by 7.8 percent. Utilisation grew by 7.8 percent. It was closer to 10 percent, or 9.8 percent, on comparative sites.

We’re quite thrilled, I think, with that. We are very, very happy with that. That kind of response underlines we fully executed our Vision 2025. And, as you saw on the bottom line, we did generate acceptable returns.

“The prior year, because of all the investments we were making, we lost money.

The year was profitable, so we had a complete reversal of that in 2026. Some of the gains attached to the sale of Doctors Hospital Harbourside to the Government, which was booked last year [in 2026], but when you pull that out we still generated a fairly acceptable financial return for shareholders.”

The “subsequent events” section of Doctors Hospital’s audited financials for the year to end-January 2026 reveals that it incurred a $1.045m loss on Harbourside’s sale to the

Government, although that aspect is likely to be booked in the current financial period.

“On March 30, 2026, land, building, furniture and equipment classified as finance lease receivable with a carrying value of $30.108m as at January 31, 2026, were sold to a third party for $29m,” the financial statements said in reference to the Harbourside sale.

Mr Deveaux acknowledged that there are “always questions on how profitable a hospital should be”, with Doctors Hospital always having to balance the interests of its shareholders and investors with ensuring that healthcare price points remain accessible and affordable for Bahamians even those that are covered by insurance.

Revealing that Doctors Hospital is targeting a 10 percent “return on sales”, or profit margin, in the medium-term, he added that this will come as the company executes on new investments such as its Grand Bahama hospital facility plus Village Road imaging centre and partnership with Bahamas NeuroGen Ltd’s neurological wellness centre.

The latter is poised to lease its Doctors Hospital West facility on Blake Road.

Mr Deveaux asserted, though, that the increased use of pre-hospital services by patients sends “a fairly strong signal” about Doctors Hospital’s growth prospects

and demand for medical care, with the 2026 results showing “a fairly healthy swing” back to profitability.

“We’re off to a good first half,” he added of the current 2027 financial year.

“Our first quarter was a validation of all the investments we have made.” Disclosing that the the three-months to end-April 2026 were a quarterly “record” for Doctors Hospital in terms of patient revenue and net income, outside the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Deveaux said: “That’s an important signal around our growth trajectory.

“The second quarter, we expect to be a little softer, and the third quarter to be filled with the Grand Bahama hospital and NeuroGen openings. These two openings will likely soften earnings a bit, but it’s nothing shareholders should be concerned about. These are one-of-a-kind investments, and we will make those investments deliver an excellent product for Grand Bahama.”

Doctors Hospital’s patient service revenue increased to $123.032m in its 2026 financial year, representing a 3.7 percent increase from the prior year’s $118.59m. Total revenues, aided by the Harbourside finance lease gain, jumped from $121.508m in 2025 to $134.341m, while total expenses remained flat at $122.845m as opposed to the prior year’s $122.414m.

what their concerns are with the economic and environmental side of things….

“Because we are an importing nation, the last thing we want to do in materials produced locally is jack the price up on what is made here. I’m not saying we want indiscriminate mining. By the same token, the Government has to be mindful to keep competitive pricing pressures on these things.”

Mr Myers warned that any shortage, or loss of supply, of Bahama Rock’s aggregate and subsequent price increases “could kill development in the Family Islands” by making construction “exponentially more expensive” at a time when multiple resort, infrastructure and other projects are either underway or in the planning pipeline.

Family Island development is already far more expensive than Nassau due to shipping and other factors.

The Windsor Lake developer, urging the Government to “start controlling inflation” and business expenses and the cost of living, said the construction sector and other industries will ultimately adjust if Bahama Rock’s demise becomes permanent

by finding new suppliers and trade routes.

But, in the short-term, he added: “I think the critical things are what inventory does Bahama Rock have and how long is that going to last. It may create shortages in the industry. It may stop it altogether for a period. If we adapt, it will take time to adjust supply routes.”

Mr Myers also bemoaned the increase in prices for structural fill, which is used for road and house foundations, as a result of the Government cracking down on quarrying operations in New Providence. “Ultimately, the Government of The Bahamas has shut down too many quarries in Nassau, so it’s become increasingly expensive to get structural fill,” he said.

“That material has gone up in price because the Government, through whatever agency, has shut down a lot of indiscriminate mining with people mining on their own private properties.”

Bahama Rock is seeking the necessary government permits and approvals to access a fresh supply source through its acquisition of the 515-acre former Bahamas Cement Company property on Grand Bahama.

The extraction of aggregate and limestone from this site, if given the go-ahead, will also eventually facilitate Freeport Harbour’s near-270 acre expansion and increase its - and the island’s - value as an economic asset by creating a new turning basin and “deep-water berths”.

However, Bahama Rock’s proposal is facing significant opposition from residents in Eight Mile Rock and other communities, who have voiced concerns about the potential environmental, noise and other impacts plus the effects the mining’s blasting will have on their homes and business properties. Several complained the company and government have failed to address concerns that previous blasting caused cracks to appear in their buildings.

Activist groups such as Preserving Paradise have also made clear their opposition, while Fred Mitchell, minister of foreign affairs and Immigration, in an August 7, 2026, statement asserted that the Government does “not support the proposed expansion of the Bahama Rock operation”.

PAGE 12, Thursday, September 10, 2026

Aggregate costs ‘double’ if GB supply source lost MINING - from page B1 Friday, September 18, production halt at its existing property. It then revealed that it has already closed the purchase of the Bahamas Cement Company site.

“Bahama Rock and its affiliates completed the land acquisition of the Bahamas Cement Company property last year but have been unable to obtain the required government approvals to develop the property,” the aggregate miner disclosed.

“Bahama Rock’s remaining permitted aggregate reserves are effectively depleted. Therefore, Bahama Rock could be forced to close permanently if the adjacent reserves on Bahamas Cement Company are not permitted. Obtaining permits for the Bahamas Cement Company property would avoid a permanent closure, ensure a reliable supply of essential materials, and prevent loss of employment, among other benefits to The Bahamas.”

However, Bahama Rock’s proposal is facing significant opposition from residents in Eight Mile Rock and other nearby communities. Several complained the company and government have failed to address concerns that previous blasting caused cracks to appear in their buildings.

Activist groups such as Preserving Paradise have also made clear their opposition, while Fred Mitchell, minister of foreign affairs and Immigration, in an August 7, 2026, statement asserted that the Government does “not support the

proposed expansion of the Bahama Rock operation”.

Bahama Rock, though, said any permanent shutdown of its Grand Bahama operation could have major repercussions for the construction and real estate development industries, in particular, throughout The Bahamas. “Bahama Rock is a major Bahamian supplier of raw materials to the construction industry,” it reaffirmed.

“This material is required for roads, homes, schools, tourist attractions, disaster relief and other infrastructure needs. If this source disappears, The Bahamas will likely have to import aggregates from a different country.

“Importing aggregates is expected to double the cost of the material, which would mean higher costs for the Bahamian government, businesses and citizens. The Bahamas could also face serious material supply issues during natural disasters without this local source.”

Pointing to the annual $25m it injects into Grand Bahama’s economy, plus the 85 jobs it provides and another 200 that it indirectly supports, Bahama Rock told this newspaper: “The significance of the Bahamas Cement Company project extends well beyond Bahama Rock.

“It supports continued development and competitiveness of Grand Bahama, and the nation as a whole. As Freeport and Grand Bahama has developed over the last 50 years, port creation and

THE TRIBUNE expansion has proven to be a key employment driver.

Thousands of well-paying jobs have been created, allowing for meaningful economic growth on the island as well as throughout The Bahamas.”

The extraction of aggregate and limestone from the Bahamas Cement Company site, if given the go-ahead, is billed as also eventually facilitating Freeport Harbour’s near-270 acre expansion and increase its - and the island’s - value as an economic asset by creating a new turning basin and “deep-water berths”.

Activists and other opponents, though, remain unconvinced. The Preserving Paradise group and its spokesman, C Allen Johnson, yesterday demanded greater transparency from both Bahama Rock and the Government as they asserted that more than 600 questions they have submitted on the project remain unanswered.

And they again challenged Bahama Rock’s warnings about the impact on The Bahamas’ aggregate supply and the associated cost if the Freeport Harbour expansion, and Bahamas Cement Compaany aggregate mining, are not allowed to proceed.

“The national supply argument also needs verification.

The shutdown of Bahama Rock does not automatically indicate that there is an unavoidable shortage of aggregate in the Bahamas,” Preserving Paradise argued.

“We must evaluate the available capacity of other producers, the suitability of their products, delivery times and prices. If there is a possibility of continued extraction in [Bahama Rock’s] existing Area 3 by another operator,

ESTATE OF CLEVELAND WILLIAMS, JR. a.k.a. CLEVELAND WILLIAMS a.k.a. CLEVELAND JUNIOR WILLIAMS late of Spruce Street, Nassau, Bahamas TAKE NOTICE that anyone having a claim against the Estate of CLEVELAND WILLIAMS, Jr., a.k.a. Cleveland Williams, a.k.a. Cleveland Junior Williams, who died on the 2nd day of January, A.D., 2026, may submit such claim in writing to the law firm of MAILLIS & MAILLIS, Chambers, Fort Nassau House, Marlborough Street, Nassau, Bahamas, tel: (242) 322-4292/3, fax: (242) 323-2334 ON OR BEFORE the 31st September, A.D., 2026.

we need to verify the remaining reserves, ensure lawful access and obtain the appropriate approvals. We should neither assume that these alternatives exist nor dismiss them without proper investigation.

“Additionally, the proposed harbour benefits require a funded delivery plan. Excavating limestone and constructing usable port infrastructure involve different commitments. The public deserves to know what will be built, when it will be built, who will build it and at what cost.”

Preserving Paradise, arguing that “this silence is unacceptable” over Bahama Rock and the Government’s alleged failure to respond to its inquiries, also demanded an explanation for the more than 18-month gap between completion of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the BRON consultancy in October 2024 and the public consultation that occurred in June and July 2026.

“The chronology requires clarification,” the group argued. “The EIA is dated October 16, 2024, while the public consultation meeting took place on July 29, 2026, - 51 days before the announced production stoppage.

“It is important to note that July 29 was the date of the consultation meeting, not the start of the EIA process.

The cover of the EIA indicates submission to Bahama Rock, but it does not confirm when regulators received a complete application. These distinctions are significant because accountability must be based on accurate information.

“What transpired during the approximately 21 months between the EIA’s date and the public meeting? When were the relevant documents submitted? What additional information was requested, and when was it provided?

Who was in control of the consultation timeline?”

Preserving Paradise also demanded: “Bahama Rock must clearly explain its contingency planning. While the knowledge that reserves are finite does not definitively indicate that management was aware of the exact date of September 18, 2026, it

highlights the importance of scrutinising reserve forecasting and business continuity.

“When did management first predict the depletion of permitted reserves? What alternatives were considered in case expansion approval took longer than anticipated or was denied? What measures were put in place for employees and customers?

Approval is not guaranteed.

Responsible planning must take this uncertainty into account.”

And, referring to the furloughs, it added: “Workers deserve transparent information regarding their income, benefits, recall prospects, redeployment options and the potential consequences of a prolonged stoppage.

“They also deserve a candid explanation of whether approval would allow for an immediate return to production. The EIA’s tentative schedule includes several months of preparatory work. Therefore, an updated operating timetable is crucial. The human cost of disrupted employment should not overshadow the need to address environmental concerns.

“Whether intentionally or not, linking potential job losses to a pending application creates undue pressure. The Government must ensure that this pressure does not compromise the level of scrutiny.

Workers should not be left to bear the consequences of unresolved corporate planning and regulatory issues.”

But Bahama Rock, noting that it has been operating for 38 years, countered: “The company and its employees are committed to safe operations, environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance in every facet of its operation.

“The company employs advanced technology and monitoring to ensure [it] reduces and eliminates impacts on surrounding communities. Residents and members of the public are welcome to request visits to the operation.

“The company is in the midst of working with the relevant governmental authorities to address environmental and other concerns. We are committed to reliable science and

technology, coupled with community engagement, to mitigate any potential concerns of the community.”

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, in a statement yesterday, said it recognised the importance and value of Bahama Rock’s operation - and the jobs it supports - to the island and wider Bahamian economy.

“Economic opportunity and the preservation of Bahamian jobs are critical to Grand Bahama’s future, but so too is ensuring that development is sustainable and gives appropriate consideration to our environment and our communities,” said Ralph R. Hepburn, the GB Chamber’s president. ““That is why a thorough, transparent and timely review process is so important. The public needs confidence that decisions of this magnitude are informed by sound science and appropriate independent technical review, while businesses need confidence that proposals will be considered fairly and within reasonable timeframes.”

The GB Chamber said its delegation “also raised concerns expressed within the community, including those surrounding historic blasting and vibration, groundwater, flooding, excavation and dredging, and the potential environmental impact of future operations” when it met Bahama Rock management for a site tour last week.

“Bahama Rock management provided information on its monitoring practices, and its approach to environmental and community concerns, and responded to questions raised by the delegation,” the GB Chamber added.

“The Chamber believes environmental and regulatory oversight must be rigorous and credible, with relevant findings communicated clearly to the public,” it said. “The Chamber encourages all key stakeholders to remain engaged in constructive dialogue and work towards a resolution that appropriately considers the economic, environmental and community interests of Grand Bahama.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 13

‘Safer environment’ as high end offering goes cashless ENHANCE- from page B5 raising questions about the resilience of its electronic payment infrastructure.

Mr Bridgewater said the company has strengthened its system since the incident and maintained that customer accounts and banking information were not compromised.

“It’s something we take seriously, and it shapes how we build,” he said. “We

have strengthened our systems since the attack. Also it should be noted that our customers’ accounts and bank information were never at risk. Going cashless in VIP creates a safer environment.”

Fusion Superplex also faces the practical challenge of operating an electronic payment environment amid New Providence’s recurring power outages. Mr Bridgewater said Pure VIP will

Tourism ministry concedes fence vital for public safety MOVE - from page B1 busiest tourism beaches due to works connected to the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences project.

“I had a meeting with the vendors,” Mr Deal said.

“They wanted to meet with me just to discuss their concerns relative to this ongoing Cabbage Beach situation. Much of what they expressed to me had to do with assurances; more than just word of mouth.”

The Ministry of Tourism said the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) has advised that measures are needed to address “severe beach erosion” and support the protection and renourishment of the affected area.

It said fencing and pilings are expected to form part of the works, and will temporarily affect access to sections of the beachfront and the locations from which vendors currently operate.

“The recommended measures are intended to support public safety and protect the beach,” the ministry said in a statement.

“They are not permanent and should never be interpreted as an effort to restrict the public’s right to access and enjoy Cabbage Beach.”

The Ministry of Tourism added that it is working with licensed vendors, DEPP and other stakeholders to identify suitable temporary locations where affected vendors can continue operating safely while the work is carried out.

Its statement yesterday differs markedly from the one it issued when the outcry over the temporaty fence first erupted in late August. Back then, it accused the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences developers of proceeding prematurely and moving ahead before an agreed site visit took place.

“The Ministry of Tourism remains uncompromising in its responsibility to ensure Bahamians continue to benefit economically from the country’s tourism product.

We will have zero tolerance for the economic displacement of Bahamians whose livelihoods depend on participation in the tourism

Nearly a decade after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, New Mexico alone is taking Facebook to trial

By MIKELLA SCHUETTLER Associated Press/ Report for America ATTORNEYS representing the state of New Mexico told jurors that targeted political ads, attempting to lower Democratic turnout during the 2016 election, used Facebook data sold to a political consulting firm, during opening statements in a trial over the platform’s data protections.

Facebook’s attorney said the social media company investigated suspicious third-party apps following the breach and told jurors the state’s evidence is outdated because safeguards have improved.

Opening statements began in Santa Fe on Wednesday morning, just weeks after 48 U.S. states reached a landmark settlement with Meta, which addressed child safety concerns and privacy issues surrounding the same data breach. So far, New Mexico is the only state that has pushed the case toward trial, expected to last four weeks, as part of its go-it-alone approach to prosecuting Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.

In court documents, the state argues Facebook failed to alert or protect users from a personality quiz on the social platform that harvested data from roughly

retain generator back-up, battery-powered payment terminals and a cash contingency to allow operations to continue during outages.

“Our guests experience a minimal delay when the power goes out and then the generator initiates,” he added, acknowledging that outages have previously caused delays, particularly when the IMAX cinema has to be rebooted.

“What we attempt to do to minimise the impact to the guest experience is move to manual change over to the generator at designated times of the day and week,” Mr Bridgewater said.

Fusion said Pure VIP is initially the only part of the Superplex being moved to a cashless model, but the policy could eventually be expanded. “Pure VIP is where we are starting,”

Mr Bridgewater said. “If it serves our guests well, as we expect it will, we’ll look at bringing that same convenience to more of the facility.”

The changes are being marketed as part of a broader repositioning of Pure VIP, with Fusion telling customers that the refurbishment is intended to deliver a “more refined, seamless, and exceptional experience”.

The company has also advised that outside food and beverages will no longer be permitted in Pure VIP, as Fusion seeks to place greater emphasis on its own curated food and beverage offering.

Fusion described the changes as more than a cinema upgrade, positioning the revamped Pure VIP as a more elevated entertainment and dining experience.

economy,” the Ministry of Tourism said then.

“We also remind the developers of their commitment to compensate affected vendors where appropriate, and to ensure Bahamians share in the economic opportunities and spin-off benefits generated by the development.” However, yesterday’s statement struck a far more conciliatory tone and almost represented a back pedal, with the Ministry of Tourism conceding the fencing and piling were needed to ensure public safety during construction.

Mr Deal, however, said the Government must provide certainty about what happens once construction is completed. “If you’re going to relocate a vendor, what assurance are they going to have in writing that at the end of this proposed development, their business will be able to return to Cabbage Beach uninterrupted and prioritised when the development is completed?” he said.

The MP added that many of the affected vendors have licences that remain valid through March 2027, and should not be placed at a disadvantage because of a temporary relocation.

In a statement, Mr Deal said the vendors deserve a written commitment outlining where they will operate, how long the relocation will last and confirming their

right and priority to return to Cabbage Beach. “Temporary must have a defined beginning, a defined end and a clear path back,” he said.

Mr Deal also warned that moving vendors to another beach could have a significant economic impact because the replacement location may not generate the same level of customer traffic. He specifically raised concerns about a possible relocation to Goodman’s Bay, arguing that the beach already has vendors offering similar products and services.

“You are going to have a potentially crowding issue at that particular beach because you now have multiple vendors selling chairs, braiding, and all of those other things that they do on the Cabbage Beach side,” he said.

Mr Deal added that a change in location could mean a loss of customers and income because different beaches attract different types of visitors. “Those in the tourism industry understand the dynamics of the different beaches and what it offers, and the type of clientele that come there,” he said.

The MP also highlighted the personal and logistical consequences for vendors who have operated at Cabbage Beach for decades.

Many, he said, are residents of the Freetown constituency and have worked on

the beach from anywhere between 10 and 40 years.

“It is all they know,” Mr Deal said, adding that some vendors live in surrounding neighbourhoods and have relatively easy commutes to Cabbage Beach.

Moving them elsewhere could also create difficulties in transporting equipment and inventory, he added. Mr Deal said the vendors are not opposed to measures needed to address beach erosion or protect public safety, but want clarity on how the works will affect their businesses.

“They simply want to know what is happening, when it is happening, how long it will last and whether they will still have a place at Cabbage Beach when the work is finished,” he added.

The Ministry of Tourism said its priority is to “protect Cabbage Beach, preserve public access and treat the vendors whose livelihoods are connected to the beach with fairness and respect”. It said discussions with affected vendors will continue in an effort to reach a practical solution that considers the interests of all parties.

Meanwhile, advocacy group Dis We Beach said it hopes the ministry’s assurances that the works are temporary will translate into a solution that does not require licensed vendors to leave Cabbage Beach. The group noted that Cabbage Beach stretches approximately two miles, and

said Access Industries, the Ocean Club owner and primary developer involved, controls two access points.

“Surely a solution can be found that allows any necessary environmental work to proceed while the vendors continue operating safely elsewhere on Cabbage Beach and the public retains meaningful access,” Dis We Beach said.

Mr Deal also called for written protections for public access, warning that a temporary construction fence must not become a permanent barrier. “Public access cannot simply exist in a statement or on a plan,” he said. “It must exist in reality. It must be practical, usable and protected.”

Mr Deal proposed that the Government establish a written vendor protection and public access plan before any relocation takes place.

Such a plan, he said, should ensure existing licences are not prejudiced by temporary displacement, give current licensed vendors priority to return, address equipment and business continuity, and clearly establish how the beach will be accessed during and after construction.

“If the vendors are returning, put it in writing,” Mr Deal said. “If public access is being protected, put it in writing. Development must work with Bahamians, not around them.”

87 million Facebook profiles and sold it to a political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica. The data was used to generate targeted ads during the 2016 presidential election.

Randi McGinn, the attorney representing New Mexico, said Cambridge Analytica used Facebook profile data to geographically target Democratic voters with messaging such as “‘Hillary’s got it, you don’t need to vote’,” in an alleged attempt to reduce voter turnout. The now-defunct firm’s clients included the 2016 campaign for Donald Trump.

Facebook’s attorney, Dane Butswinkas, said the platform has come a long way since the Cambridge Analytica data breach.

Facebook conducted independent investigations and tried to stop suspicious third parties from harvesting user data following revelations about how the data was used.

PAGE 14, Thursday, September 10, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Stocks fall on Wall Street as oil prices jump back above $100 a barrel after Iran war escalates

By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers

SPECIALISTS DILIP PATEL, right, and Trader Robert Charmak, center, work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in New York. Photo:Yuki Iwamura/AP

STOCKS on Wall Street lost ground again Wednesday as the price of crude oil climbed back above $100 a barrel amid further escalation in the U.S. war with Iran.

The S&P 500 index fell 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite gave up 0.6%. The indexes are each on track for a weekly loss.

The losses were broad, with retailers among the companies that pulled the market lower. Amazon fell 1.8%, Starbucks lost 1.9% and Home Depot dropped 1%. Every sector within the benchmark S&P 500 declined except for energy, which rose as oil companies notched gains. Exxon Mobil rose 2.2% and Chevron added 1.9%.

Oil prices drove much of the action on Wall Street.

The U.S. destroyed five Iranian tankers on Tuesday in a series of attacks between the two nations. The conflict that began in February has essentially shut down traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil supply passed before the war began.

The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 3.4% to settle at $101.21 a barrel. It marks the first time the price surpassed $100 a barrel since July.

The Iran war is likely going to keep oil prices elevated at least through the U.S. midterm elections in November, President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

The jump in oil prices over the course of the war has fueled already high

said it would buy back up to $6 billion in long-term debt.

That follows an announcement in August previewing plans for an unusually large buyback in an effort to contain rising yields, which make it more expensive for U.S. companies to borrow money and also weigh down other investments, such as stocks.

Bond yields had been holding steady prior to the announcement, but gained ground shortly after.

“The simplest version here is that market interventions have a long history of not working very well,” said Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which tends to impact mortgage rates, rose to 4.85% — its highest point since late October of 2023 — before easing to 4.84% from 4.80% late Tuesday. The yield on the

inflation. Gasoline prices in the U.S. are up about 32% from a year ago to $4.22 per gallon. Higher fuel prices cut into household budgets directly when it comes to the cost of driving, but they also indirectly raise prices for goods because of higher shipping costs.

The price of diesel, which can have an outsized impact on consumers because it is used in shipping and production, hit an all-time high Friday and has continued to climb since. The average price for a gallon reached $5.94 overnight and is now 9 cents higher than it was Friday.

Inflation was already stubbornly high when the U.S. started its war against Iran because of the ongoing U.S. trade war with much of the world. That trade war is also heating up, especially between the U.S. and its close ally and trade partner Canada.

“The simplest version here is that market interventions have a long history of not working very well.”

Guy LeBas Wall Street will get more updates this week on inflation, starting with a look at prices at the wholesale level on Thursday with the release of the Producer Price Index for August. It measures prices businesses pay for goods before they reach customers.

That report will be followed up Friday with the release of the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, for August, which shows the more direct price impact for households.

The latest reports are expected to show that the rate of inflation remains above 3%. That has been an issue for the Federal Reserve, which is aiming

to hold inflation at a target rate of 2%. The central bank has been holding rates steady, but Wall Street is leaning toward a 62% chance that it will raise its benchmark interest rate at its meeting next week, according to data from CME Group.

Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive. The goal of raising interest rates is to slow the economy and cool inflation.

Rising Treasury yields in the bond market were also weighing down stocks on Wall Street Wednesday.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday

2-year Treasury, which tends to track expectations for Fed moves on interest rates, rose to 4.43% from 4.39% late Tuesday.

Bond yields have an inverse relationship to prices. Yields rise as bond prices fall. Rising yields signal that investors are demanding a higher return from Treasurys.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, shares of Meta Platforms rose 6.6% as the parent company of Instagram and Facebook launched a personal artificial intelligence agent, Muse, for people 18 and over who are looking for help with day-to-day tasks like schedules and shopping.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 37.16 points to 7,636.36.

The Dow dropped 405.41 points to 52,380.66, and the Nasdaq gave up 168.07 to close at 26,253.34.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I JEAN ROBERT SILUS of #58 Carmichael Road, 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 10th day of September, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I RECHARD ROBINSON CHARLES of Ellest Street, Dundas Town, Abaco, 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 10th day of September, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I BEATRICE THELUSMA of Malcom Road, 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 10th day of September, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that ARTHUR NOTICE is hereby given that I ARTHUR ANTHONY STEWART of #20 Guinep ANTHONY STEWART of #20 Guinep Street, Pinewood Gardens, New Street, Pinewood Gardens, Nassau, The Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible Minister responsible for Nationality for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who that any person who knows any reason why knows any reason why registration/ registration / naturalization should not be granted, naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the should send a written and signed facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of statement of the facts within twentyAugust, 2026, to the Minister responsible for Nationality eightand days Citizenship, from the 10th day of September, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, P. O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NR36 Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

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Thursday, September 10, 2026, PAGE 15

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