Over half of Nassau’s roads threatened by flood damage
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
MORE than half of New Providence’s roads are threatened by flood damage, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report is warning, with The Bahamas facing an up to $425m financing shortfall on investment in nationwide road infrastructure.
The multilateral lender, in a report accompanying its $80m loan to develop “climate-resilient transport infrastructure” and reduce the disruption caused by “recurrent flooding” in Nassau and wider New Providence, asserted that “limited zoning regulations” and inadequate drainage and flood management systems have left Bahamians increasingly exposed during hurricanes and heavy rainfall.
Project documents, seen by Tribune Business,
Doctors
• Bahamas faces up to $425m roads investment shortfall
• $100m project to tackle 50% of Nassau’s climate needs
• Bahamix: Key road paving machines out 18-36 months
also disclose that some 2 percent of the island’s 3,000 drainage wells are already “ineffective” due to the proximity of fresh or groundwater tables, which makes it impossible for heavy rainfall to soak away and results in heavy localised flooding in certain areas of New Providence. Asserting that the financing, which will receive a $20m injection from the Government to take the total funding to $100m, will benefit all of New Providence’s 296,522
residents through enhanced road infrastructure and reduced flooding, the IDB report said the project aims to cover “50 percent of the climate-related investments” needed by the Bahamian capital and 5 percent “of the infrastructure gap”. Some $11m will be directed to upgrading Bahamix, the Ministry of Works’ asphalt-producing division, which frequently encounters “operational inefficiencies” and other constraints caused by
regular breakdowns of “old machinery”, with its pavers said to have been out of service for 18 and 36 months, respectively.
Clay Sweeting, minister of works and Family Island affairs, did not respond to Tribune Business calls and messages before press time last night, but the report added that Bahamix’s main front-end loader has also been offline for seven months with “frequent downtime” also impacting the operation’s other equipment and leading to “inadequate road maintenance”.
The Government recently unveiled Bahamix’s new Board of Directors, headed by attorney Owen Wells, and its new Fire Trail Road West offices - developments that are likely to have been mandated by IDB in return for providing the financing. The moves
RAINFALL - See Page B7
targets 20% ‘ramp up’ in revenue
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
DOCTORS Hospital is aiming to “ramp up” revenues by 20 percent, and expand profit margins “to at least 10 percent” of topline income, as its chief executive unveiled plans to relinquish this post early in the New Year.
Dr Charles Diggiss, writing in the BISX-listed healthcare provider’s just-released 2025 annual report, confirmed that he will step down from the role when its 2026 financial year closes at end-January but retain the post of president
to continue “guiding our strategic direction”.
“As we prepare for the next chapter, I want to share that I will be stepping down as chief executive at the end of fiscal year 2026,” Dr Diggiss said. “I will, however, continue to serve as president of DHHS (Doctors Hospital Health Systems), remaining actively engaged in guiding our strategic direction, supporting leadership continuity and championing the mission we all share.
“Notably, I stay on fully engaged as provost of our Institute of Learning
‘Frustration’ escalates over construction self-regulation
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president says he believes successive administrations do not want to “professionalise” the industry because it would create an obstacle to directing “millions of dollars” in construction contacts to their political supporters.
Leonard Sands voiced his “frustration”, and that of the BCA and the wider construction industry, over the Government’s continued failure to form the Construction Contractors Board and allow the sector to become the last in The Bahamas to self-regulate the profession and affairs.
Confirming that Prime Minister Philip Davis KC had yet to follow through on his early August 2025 pledge to the BCA to form the Board by early September, despite being provided with industry recommendations for its members, he added that
Cable ‘not aware’ of BTC merger proposal
• Unions: Monopoly return ‘doesn’t make sense’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
CABLE Bahamas’ top executive says he is “unaware” of any proposal for a merger with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and there have been no talks or discussions on such a plan.
Franklyn Butler, the BISX-listed provider’s president and chief executive, told Tribune Business he had no knowledge of any call for a merger, or some form of joint venture, between the two Bahamian communications industry giants to create a so-called ‘national champion’ and better finance the roll-out of fifth generation (5G) mobile technology and services.
“I am not aware of any proposal or discussions,” the Cable Bahamas chief said, declining to comment
further because he had not seen the details. Reports on Friday asserted that the proposal had originated from Liberty Latin America, BTC’s ultimate parent and owner of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), the latter of which holds a controlling interest in the Bahamian carrier. A BTC spokesperson last
LEONARD SANDS
FRANKLYN BUTLER
INSURER RECOMMITS TO BAHAMAS WITH PROFITS EXPECTED TO TRIPLE
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
A CARIBBEAN insurer has recommitted itself to the Bahamian market and is planning to expand its presence, with profits projected to near-triple this year, in a reversal of plans to exit this nation as recently as 2022.
After appointing Anthon Bowleg as its first Bahamian territory head to lead NAGICO (Bahamas), the property and casualty insurer reassured that it is “financially strong” with equity greater than $130m and total assets close to $500m.
While NAGICO operates in 32 locations across the Caribbean and in
continental France, Mr Bowleg said it is highly regulated and supervised by 17 regulators, including the Insurance Commission of The Bahamas, adding that solvency and stability are constantly monitored. He said the Bahamian subsidiary has enjoyed a significantly improved financial performance, posting net income of $619,622 for 2024, while forecast profitability for 2025 is $1.8m - about a 190 percent increase.
“No other single insurance company in the Caribbean has paid, in a single year, as much in claims as we have,” Mr Bowleg said. “[We paid] three quarters of a billion dollars to the Caribbean in 2017, materially contributing
to the rebuild of the region. In 2019, [we paid] $40mplus in The Bahamas. We care about the region and intend to grow even more here in The Bahamas.”
Mr Bowleg said NAGICO (Bahamas) expects improved performance in both revenue and profitability, led by growth in both its property and motor underwriting portfolio. He said the company anticipates a 180 percent increase over last year’s profits before taxes.
“And we're also seeing an increase in our motor business,” he said. “We are seeing a decrease in our motor claims. So all of that combined is helping us. So really, what's helping us is we had an increase in our ability to
Bank profits jump $40m on fee/commission surge
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN com-
mercial banks enjoyed a near-$40m year-over-year increase in collective profits during the 2025 second quarter aided by commission and foreign exchange fees “more than doubling” against 2024 comparatives.
The Central Bank, in its quarterly review covering the three months to end-September 2025, disclosed that its commercial bank licensees - the likes
of Royal Bank of Canada, CIBC and Scotiabank, as well as Bahamian-owned entities such as Commonwealth Bank and Fidelity - saw their combined net income surge by 381 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter.
“During the second quarter, the latest period for which data was available, banks’ net income expanded by $39.8m (38.1 percent) to $144.4m vis-àvis the second quarter of 2024, owing primarily to a rise in non-interest income,” the Central Bank said. “The
net interest margin rose by $4.6m (3.1 percent) to $155.1m, reflecting a $4.5m (2.8 percent) increase in interest income, and a $0.1m (1.5 percent) decrease in interest expenses.
“In addition, income from commission and foreign exchange fees more than doubled to $47.4m from $20.9m, resulting in a $31.1m (18.2 percent) growth in the gross earnings margin to $202.5m.” This also occurred amid widening bank interest rate spreads, which expanded by 37 basis points or 0.37
write home insurance, we have increased motor business and decreased motor claims, and that's helped us this year.”
“The market was hardened. So the hard market means that there was limited capacity and there were increased rates. So despite the hardening of the market, which normally means it's more difficult to sell, we were able to see increased profits from last year, and that's public knowledge… We were able to increase our ability to provide hurricane and home insurance in The Bahamas and, as a result of that, despite the hardening of the market, we were able
percentage points during the three months to end-September 2025.
Depositors, in general, were earning little to nothing by placing money with the banks. “The weighted average interest rate spread at commercial banks widened by 37 basis points to 10.81 percent in the third quarter. In particular, the weighted average lending rate firmed by 33 basis points to 11.37 percent, while the weighted mean deposit rate declined by four basis points to 0.56 percent,” the Central Bank added,
“On the lending side, the average overdraft rate rose by 43 basis points to 11.46 percent, and for
INCREASE - See Page B6
National debt rises $300m as new mortgages off 39%
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas’ national debt soared by almost $300m to hit $12.385bn at end-September 2025 in a signal that the Government likely incurred a significant deficit during the first quarter of its current fiscal year.
The Central Bank, in its quarterly review of the 2025 calendar third quarter, revealed that the direct debt accumulated by the central government increased by $300.3m or 2.6 percent during the period. On an annualised basis, meaning over the previous 12 months, it grew by $413.2m compared to end-September 2024.
“The direct charge on the Government increased for the quarter ended
September 2025 by $300.3m and, on an annual basis, by $413.2m (3.5 percent) to $12.07bn. A breakdown by currency revealed that Bahamian dollar debt represented 54.3 percent of the total, while foreign currency liabilities accounted for the remaining 45.7 percent,” the Central Bank said.
“The Government’s contingent liabilities declined by $3.9m (1.2 percent) over the review quarter, and by $19.4m (5.8 percent) year-on-year to $315.9m. Consequently, the national debt, inclusive of contingent liabilities, increased by $296.5m (2.5 percent) over the three-month period, and by $393.8m (3.3 percent) on an annual basis to $12.385bn as at end-September 2025.
“As a ratio to gross domestic product (GDP),
the direct charge decreased by an estimated 1.5 percentage points on a yearly basis to 73.4 percent at end-September. Further, the national debt-to-GDP ratio fell to an estimated 75.3 percent from 77 percent in the third quarter of 2024.”
Elsewhere, the Central Bank described the mortgage-funded domestic Bahamian housing market as “subdued”. It said: “In domestic financing developments, total mortgage disbursements for new constructions and repairs - as reported by banks, insurance companies and the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation - reduced by 38.6 percent ($19.4m) to $30.9m, a switch from a 98.7 percent expansion a year earlier.
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE $200m Rosewood Exuma developer says it never opposed the legal challenge to the project’s environmental approvals as it pledged to “vigorously refute” the continued attacks and allegations by its opponents.
Miami-based Yntegra Group, in a statement responding to the Supreme Court’s Order giving the neighbouring Turtlegrass Resort permission to proceed with its Judicial Review action challenging its certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) permit, said it remained confident that the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection’s (DEPP) work will withstand scrutiny.
“While it is inappropriate to discuss a matter currently before the courts, it should be clarified that the application for Judicial Review was never opposed by Yntegra or any of the parties involved,” the developer said.
disbursements decreased by 26.3 percent ($8.5m) to $23.7m, a reversal from a 33.4 percent growth in the corresponding 2024 period. Likewise, commercial disbursements declined by 60.3 percent to $7.2m, a turnaround from a marked increase in the previous year.
DEBT - See Page B7
“The Rosewood Exuma project has been developed through months of rigorous public consultations, multiple technical studies and careful collaboration with the Bahamian professionals in the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), whose work reflects the highest professional and scientific standards.”
Yntegra stressed it is committed to fulfilling all regulatory requirements, and highlighted its pledge to create more than 500 combined jobs during construction and operation.
“Our project represents a long-term partnership with communities in the Exuma Cays and The Bahamas more broadly. We are focused on delivering on our promise of creating more than 500 well-paying jobs for Bahamians through construction and operations, and providing Bahamians with employment opportunities at every level of the development when in operation with a focus on career advancement,” said Yntegra.
“Yntegra remains committed to transparency, environmental protection and compliance with the regulatory process, and we have full confidence in the expertise and integrity of the institutions tasked with overseeing that process. We will continue to vigorously refute Turtlegrass’s claims as we look forward to the court’s decision and resolving this matter as soon as possible for the benefit of the community.”
Yntegra’s response came as the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board revoked the preliminary site plan approval previously granted by the Town Planning Committee for the $200m Rosewood Exuma project on Sampson Cay.
The ruling came even though Yntegra had previously committed to withdraw its earlier approval on the basis that it was now relocating its service dock to satisfy the concerns of Turtlegrass and others.
“Upon review of this matter, and upon receipt of the respondent's [Yntegra] letter dated 14 November, 2025, notifying the
- See Page B7
BCA chief: Board creation to dent political patronage
the continued delay sends a concerning message to young Bahamians entering the construction industry that there qualifications are not valued.
And, noting it is now almost a decade since the Construction Contractors Act was passed into law, Mr Sands said the wait for its enforcement remains hostage to the Board’s appointment. The BCA chief said the benefits of self-regulation, and proper licensing and upholding professional standards, have been demonstrated by the growth in Bahamian architects and engineers since they were granted what contractors have long sought.
“We haven’t moved any place in the last ten years,” Mr Sands told this newspaper. “It’s been in the same place for the last ten years. They’ve had the names for the last ten years. They’re [the Government] not willing to do it. I just wish they could say that so people could live their lives. I’m
not playing this game any more. It is what it is….
“On the one hand, we say we are leading the Caribbean, but we cannot get the Board appointed and get out of the way. We have to still be asking: Are we going to do this? We are the one profession that doesn’t have this. It goes to show that, in this country, the Government must assume that construction people don’t have real jobs.”
The Board’s role would be to oversee the licensing and registration of Bahamian contractors and construction trades persons according to their abilities and the scale of projects and work they are able to perform. It would also enforce the Construction Contractors Act, which was passed into law almost a decade ago in 2016, imposing penalties and sanctions on those found guilty of misconduct and defective work.
However, the Act itself has never been enforced due to the failure to appoint the Board. This has left construction as the last major Bahamian profession
Diggiss to step down as CEO at January financial year-end
CARE - from page B1
(DH-TIOL). This planned transition is part of a thoughtful, deliberate succession process. We are confident in our executive leadership pipeline and have full faith in the next generation of leaders who will carry our vision forward with skill, compassion and clarity of purpose.
“DHHS is in a strong position - operationally, financially and culturally. As president, I remain committed to strengthening our partnerships, expanding our reach and ensuring
that everything we do continues to serve the evolving needs of our patients, associates and communities.” Dr Diggiss has held the chief executive post for more than four-and-a-half years after he replaced Charles Sealy in early 2021. No successor was named in the 2025 annual report, but a smooth transition was promised by the healthcare provider.
“In preparation, a comprehensive transition plan has been developed to ensure a smooth and strategic leadership handover. This plan reflects our commitment to continuity, cultural alignment and
without self-regulatory
powers, and Mr Sands suggested that this sends the signal that “the industry doesn’t matter apart from the tens of millions of dollars that come into this country from some of the same investors that say we are not professional”.
Asserting that the Prime Minister has yet to follow through with the Board’s appointment in the timeline promised, despite being provided with the names of proposed members by the Association, the BCA chief said Mr Davis - in his capacity as deputy prime minister and minister of works in the Christie administration - had been the minister responsible for bringing the Act to Parliament and shepherding it through the legislative process.
“He gave us a commitment with the names and set out an implementation timeline but didn’t do it,” Mr Sands said. “The person who brought this legislation to Parliament has the highest office in the land, but appears unable and unwilling to make this the law of the land.
“It would cost the Government nothing to do this. Nothing. I’m frustrated, we are all frustrated in the BCA. We keep fighting, fighting. It’s the men in
long-term stability,” Doctors Hospital said.
“As part of this transition, key members of our strategic leadership team are actively participating in executive leadership programs with Shift180, a renowned leadership consultancy. These programmes are focused on succession readiness, strategic execution and fostering a values-driven leadership culture.”
Doctors Hospital’s annual report branded its immediate future as “growth with purpose” amid its ongoing investment and expansion phase. “The coming years will be defined by bold steps - expanding access across the archipelago, embracing emerging technologies and
Parliament that stop it and, if they have the guts to say why the country is not progressing, then tell us.
“I’m just speaking for the future of the industry. It won’t matter if you want to get professional status because the Government doesn’t want that. We are wasting our time to develop them; we are wasting time to develop young people,” the BCA chief warned.
“My personal belief is that the fear of having it [construction] grow is that the Government uses it as a way to ensure their supporters have access to millions of dollars. If we don’t want change, keep things as they are. If want it to change, make it professional.”
Mr Sands said related professions, such as architects and engineers, have already shown the benefits of licensing and self-regulation. “Pull up the data,” he argued. “Look at what happened when we licensed everybody in our country. It expanded.
“We have hundreds of architects, we have hundreds of engineers. Everything grows. You cannot tell me I’m wrong. The industry grows with licensing. The data proves it. Every industry in our country grows when it’s licensed. No industry retarded after
building a more inclusive, resilient healthcare system,” Dr Diggiss wrote.
“Whether through the development of new clinical capabilities, the continued advancement of our digital health platforms or our increased public ownership, DHHS is poised for a future defined by growth with purpose.
“Our business thrives in the narrow space of profit resulting from the significant headwinds of the cost of business,. and the threat to our revenue from affordability barriers and bad debt. We have the capacity to ramp up and sustain our revenue by some 20 percent while holding costs disproportionately down. We seek to move thereby our margins to at least 10 percent of this new level of revenue.”
Doctors Hospital also confirmed the impending sale of its Harbourside complex on East Bay Street, via a lease-to-own deal with the Government, for the first time in the 2025 annual report. “Our Harbourside location, originally developed as a key pillar in our continuum of care for older adults and individuals requiring specialised support, is now preparing for transition ownership following the possibility of an external entity to purchase the facility,” the BISX-listed healthcare provider said.
“We view this transaction as an opportunity to redirect capital and operational focus into other high-impact initiatives within our continuum of care, while remaining open to future collaboration with the new owners to uphold the
it was licensed. Why would construction be any different? Check those facts.”
Mr Sands, speaking out after The Bahamas last year breached the $1bn mark in the value of new construction permits issued, as their collective value increased by $305m compared to 2023, reiterated that the industry is he third, if not the second, “pillar” of the Bahamian economy.
The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), drawing on data from the Ministry of Works, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Family Island administrators and local government revealed that the value of new construction permits issued increased by around onethird - from $915.566m to $1.22bn in 2024.
The licensing and self-regulatory system ushered in by the Construction Contractors Board’s approval should eventually result in increased business for Bahamian contractors as developers - both local and foreign - will know which companies and individuals can perform certain jobs competently based on the scale and type of work they are certified for.
It will also will provide Bahamians with a more accessible avenue for
intended service standards of DHHS.” Harbourside was initially conceived to provide care to elderly and aging patients, along with patient therapy services including aqua therapy in an outdoor pool.
An on-site oxygen generation plant and haemodialysis unit were also included in the plans. However, Tribune Business last week revealed that the Government is paying $39m over a ten-year period to acquire Harbourside from Doctors Hospital and its shareholders.
Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, told Tribune Business that the deal has been structured as a lease-to-own or purchase agreement with payments to the BISXlisted healthcare provider spread out over 120 months - likely to ease the burden on an already-stretched Public Treasury and taxpayer.
“The Harbourside medical hospital is a ten-year lease purchase agreement - 120 monthly payments with a total purchase price of $38.901m or thirty-eight million, nine hundred and two thousand, nine hundred and fifteen dollars,” the minister confirmed in response to this newspaper’s inquiries.
Doctors Hospital also signalled that is still eyeing an equity capital raisesomething that it has long been mulling - although the target date given in the annual report of the 2026 third quarter has now been passed because it is now the fourth quarter. The funds raised would be directed to financing the company’s continued expansion, as well as capital investments in infrastructure and technology.
“In a bold step toward inclusive ownership and
redressing grievances with contractors. The Board will have the power to fine and discipline rogue contractors, and even bring them before the courts, its regulatory authority being the construction sector’s equivalent of the Bahamas Bar Council or Medical Council.
The BCA has the ability to submit the names of six Board members, with a further three appointed by the minister responsible for the construction industry on its advice. The final member of the ten-person Board will be the director of public works.
However, even with the Board’s appointment self-regulation will take time to implement due to the ‘grandfathering in’ period for existing contractors and trades persons to become licensed and registered under the new system it introduces.
The initial “grandfathering” period expired two years after the Act was passed in 2016, which would have been 2018. This now has to be reset, with the two-year period - at earliest - now starting in 2026 and running until 2028.
sustainable value creation, we are advancing our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) alongside preparations for a planned public equity raise targeted for the 2026 third quarter,” Doctors Hospital said.
“This dual initiative represents a defining moment in our evolution from a high-performing private healthcare provider to a more ownership-driven organisation designed to foster greater alignment between employees, leadership and shareholders.”
It added:
“Our ESOP is a transformative initiative designed to empower our workforce by aligning employee interests with the long-term success of the organisation. This milestone will mark a new chapter in our journey, allowing associates to become stakeholders and further enhancing our organisational culture of ownership and accountability.
“The planned public equity raise will support capital investments in infrastructure, technology and regional expansion, financial flexibility to scale strategic initiatives, including our LAMP programme, regional facilities under the EAGLE Initiative, and the continued roll-out of patient-centric innovations and liquidity pathways for shareholders and new investors, while maintaining strong governance and mission alignment.”
The EAGLE initiative is Doctors Hospital’s multi-island roll-out aimed at providing affordable access to healthcare services nationwide, while the Loyalty Advantage Membership Programme (LAMP) is its alternative to traditional health insurance coverage aimed at “lowering barriers to access for average Bahamians”.
AI shortcuts will multiply risks without the benefits
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of the regional conversation on financial crime. However, the Caribbean is still in the early stages of building the frameworks that make AI safe and effective. As confirmed by both DPO Caribbean and a 2025 Portulans Institute review, no island jurisdiction in the Coralisle Group footprint - that is 21 countries, including The Bahamas - has enacted an AI law, and most remain in strategy or readiness phases. According to the latest reports from the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Jamaica has officially published national AI policy recommendations prepared by a government-appointed task force, which its Cabinet is now reviewing.
Bermuda has adopted a public sector AI policy and, in March 2025, published a detailed discussion paper by the Bermuda Monetary Authority on responsible AI in financial services.
More recently, on November 26, 2025, Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with the UNESCO office for the Caribbean, launched “a comprehensive national exercise to assess the country’s preparedness for the ethical, inclusive and human-centred adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)”. Antigua and Barbuda is
By
Derek Smith
drafting a national strategy. The rest of the region is relying on data protection law, telecommunications rules and financial sector supervision as they shape their national positions. This uneven picture places more responsibility on institutions. AI adoption is not simply a technology question. It is a governance question. As I wrote in ‘The Compliance Blueprint’, strong compliance frameworks depend on clarity, accountability and consistent execution. AI raises the stakes on all three. If an institution has weak data, fragmented processes or poor risk discipline, AI will magnify those weaknesses, not correct them.
This article will touch on three practical pillars for how Caribbean financial and designated
AIR CANADA LAUNCHES DIRECT BAHAMAS FLIGHTS
AIR Canada on Friday launched new non-stop flights from Ottawa and Halifax to Nassau as part of that nation’s surge in travel demand and airlift to The Bahamas.
The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, in a statement, said travel to The Bahamas from Ottawa and Nova Scotia has increased by 54% and 85 percent, respectively, year-over-year.
It said the latest direct flights are expected to further accelerate that growth by removing the need to
connect via other airports, thus giving travellers a faster, smoother trip to The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas continues to strengthen its position as a favourite destination for Canadians, and expanding airlift is essential to keeping pace with this growing demand,” said Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister of The Bahamas. “These new flights deepen our connection in Canada, and make it even easier for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty, culture and warm
non-financial businesses need to approach AI.
Data
The first is data. The information that AI systems receive determines how well they work. In the region, many financial institutions still have legacy onboarding processes, inconsistent risk scoring and siloed customer files. Prioritising structured data, standardising definitions and clearly identifying who is responsible for data quality is crucial for companies before they experiment with AI. Without this work, AI will produce noise rather than insight.
Governance
The second is governance. AI in anti-money laundering (AML) is model risk. The use of AI in AML poses a model risk. The process requires oversight, documentation, testing, monitoring and clear human accountability. It will be important for regulators to see that AI-influenced decisions can be explained, challenged and escalated. Even in jurisdictions without AI legislation, expectations around transparency and proportionality continue to rise. Institutions should design governance frameworks to satisfy the standards already emerging in Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, rather than anchor to the lowest common denominator.
Capability
hospitality that define the islands of The Bahamas.”
“We’re thrilled to launch non-stop service from Nassau to Ottawa and Halifax, further connecting Canada with one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations,” said Alexandre Lefevre, vice-president of network planning at Air Canada. “These new routes offer our customers more choice and convenience for winter getaways, while strengthening our commitment to providing direct access to exciting leisure destinations.”
The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation said the new routes complement existing airlift from across Canada, and add to the non-stop options available to travellers this winter.
The third is capability. AI will change AML roles. Automation will reduce time spent on routine tasks such as initial alert triage and data retrieval. But the core responsibilities of investigators remain the same: Judgment, context, ethical decision-making and escalation. Teams need better data literacy and stronger critical thinking skills to challenge AI outputs rather than accept them at face value.
In short, AI offers value, but not without disciplined foundations. Caribbean institutions that invest in data, governance and people will see real AML improvement. Those who treat AI as a shortcut will inherit new risks without the benefits. The region does not need a rush toward tools; it needs a measured, responsible approach anchored in sound compliance principles.
• NB: About Derek Smith Jr Derek Smith Jr has been a governance, risk and compliance professional for more than 20 years with a leadership, innovation and mentorship record. He is the author of ‘The Compliance Blueprint’. Mr Smith is a certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS) and holds multiple governance credentials. He can be contacted at hello@ pineapplebusinessconsultancy.com
Air Canada’s scheduled service to Nassau includes six-seven flights per week from Toronto; three to four flights per week from Montreal, albeit with seasonal variations; and the weekly Friday flights from Ottawa and Halifax that started on December 5, 2025.
RM Bailey Park vendors hope for late Xmas rush after ‘weird’ year
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
THE head of the RM Bailey Park vendors’ association says its members are bracing for a last-minute Christmas rush in line with trends from what she described as a “weird” shopping year.
Karen Brown said vendors have had to wait for a day or two before major holidays or events for customers to patronise their stalls. She attributed this to the economy, and associated uncertainty, but voiced hope that vendors will enjoy significant business ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Vendors will begin selling products on RM Bailey Park from December 12 through to December 25, and Ms Brown said prior years have shown that Christmas Day itself is the busiest period for sales.
“This year was kind of weird,” Ms Brown said. “In terms of people coming out to purchase, we had persons who would come out. But the whole year, from Valentine's [Day], the season or the period seemed to be very slow until up to the last day or two before the actual day.
“And then it got really, really busy. I don't know what was going on. The only time we had people coming in and out every day probably was Independence [Day]. Back to school, you had it one, one, but it was depressing for a lot of people.
“And then a lot of people... you have to understand the economy. People were waiting on monies. So, it was kind of slow, but then it would really pick up the last few days. So I could say we are going out and we are still hopeful. Persons, if they have it, they definitely will come and get the gift items for their loved ones or the kids,” Ms Brown added.
“So last year, year before last, we found that Christmas Day... some of the vendors never used to come out on Christmas Day, but Christmas Day is a big shopping day on R M Bailey Park. You will have families [and] like it's an outing. They have nothing to do until Junkanoo. So you'll see people out there in their pyjamas, and they just walking through the entire day from morning until evening.”
While the RM Bailey Park Association has receive just over 50 applications from vendors needing permits to sell their items on the park, there will be a lot of competition as Ms Brown noted that the Christmas season is when it attracts most sellers.
“Normally, we would do the collection and put in for our vendors,” Ms Brown said. “From the Association standpoint, we have a little over 50 applicants. That's not including the persons who are the financial members. We conduct business on their behalf, and I think we sent in somewhere around 51, 52 applications.
“But people who aren't on the Association, who just come out once per year., this is where everybody comes out. So around Christmas time, we could have anywhere from 80 to about 100 or over 100 vendors on the park. People are hurting, and a lot of people want to get on the park, and it's Christmas time when we don't have the space, so it's usually crowded.
“Christmas Day, officially, is our last day. So we go from the 12th to the 25th. Sometimes you find some vendors, they would stay out, but they are supposed to be gone by the 25th. And that's particularly so we could get the park cleaned up and back in shape for January when school reopens - to get all that heavy garbage and stuff from off the park, and clean back up because it could be an eyesore.”
Unions say: ‘We
would go right back to square one’
night said it had “no comment at this time”.
However, the leaders of both BTC’s management and line staff unions argued that the proposal “doesn’t make sense” because, if approved and implemented, it would mean returning to a communications monopoly and represent the reversal of a decade or more of pro-competition, pro-consumer policies by the Government.
Kenny Knowles, the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union’s (BCPMU) president, told this newspaper that he and the union will raise the ‘merger’ proposal in upcoming meetings they are scheduled to have with Prime Minister Philip Davis KC as they were unaware of its existence until Friday.
“I was really curious about it because it was never mentioned anywhere else,” Mr Knowles said.
“There’s been no official confirmation or statement about it. There’s been nothing that we’ve heard internally in BTC. I just question that as rumours.
“We had met with the Prime Minister prior to this, and there was no mention about it. At the end of the day, it would result in another monopoly. I don’t think that makes sense. If that’s the direction the Government wants to go, it doesn’t make sense if the Government wants to go into another monopoly.
“We have a follow-up meeting with the Prime Minister coming out of our trade dispute matter, and
this is something we intend to ask him about; if this is the direction they are going in,” the union chief added. “This is something the union definitely intends to follow-up on and ask the Prime Minister about when we have the next meeting with him.
“This one is a wait and see, but we definitely will be following to see if this is the direction that the Government wants to go in. It will be interesting to see. We wait to see where the fire’s at.”
Sherry Benjamin, the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union’s (BCPOU) president, which represents BTC line staff, echoed similar sentiments to Mr Knowles while adding that any merger would make it easier for the union to represent workers at Cable Bahamas and Aliv.
“We heard the rumours about it, but have not been made aware of any merger between the companies,” Ms Benjamin told Tribune Business. “We have not been informed about it, and cannot speak to anything. I’ve heard rumours about it, but as far as coming from any credible source, it’s just rumours floating around.
“I don’t know if this is likely to happen. We have not heard from any of the companies that there was even a plan of that natureto have some form of joint venture or anything. I’ve not heard from anyone on the BTC side, anyone in executive management.
“I don’t know what the intent or agenda is, but if there is a merger between these entities we go right
Interest spreads increase while bad loans in decline
INCREASE - from page B3
consumer loans by 27 basis points to 12.95 percent. In contrast, the commercial mortgage rate narrowed by 1.1 percentage points to 5.95 percent, and the average residential mortgage rate by three basis points to 5.17 percent.
“With regard to funding, demand deposits rate remained unchanged at 0.25 percent, while the savings deposits rate rose one basis point to 0.27 percent. Conversely, the average range of interest offered on fixed deposits shifted slightly lower from 0.26 percent to
1.5 percent to 0.26 percent to 1.47% percent.”
Some of the banks’ increased profitability appeared to benefit their staff. “Non-interest expenses rose by $3.1m (2.4 percent) to $134.8m,” the Central Bank said of the 2025 second quarter. “Leading this outcome, staff outlays grew by $3.4m (7.8 percent) to $47.3m, while occupancy costs increased by $1.1m (47.8 percent) to $3.5m.
“In contrast, non-staff related costs, including professional and rental fees, declined by $1.4m (1.6 percent) to $83.9m. Further, banks’ other net earnings
NOTICE RECH E ROVER LTD.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 210655 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 5th day of December A.D. 2025.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is MR. ROMIAS DAVI ROVER, whose address is Av. Iguacu 808, AP. 1, QD39 LT02 – Centro, Nova Prata do Iguacu, PR, Brazil, CEP: 85685-000. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 31st day of December A.D. 2025 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 5th day of December A.D. 2025. ROMIAS DAVI ROVER LIQUIDATOR
back to square one with a monopoly in communications,” Ms Benjamin added. “How it will work, I don’t know. “But for the people at Cable Bahamas, it would be better because they will not be able to deny them [union] representation any longer. From our standpoint, we’ve had bargaining rights for the staff at Cable Bahamas since the late 1990s, but we’ve been unable to sit at the table and get a contract for them. If they merge, that falls away.”
Asserting that “where there’s smoke, there’s fire; the blaze has not just spread high enough to see”, Ms Benjamin added of the proposal: “It is an interesting idea, plan, whatever, and hopefully they’ll have a sit down with us if it’s something they plan on doing and have that discussion. At this point, we’ve not had that discussion with them and nobody has mentioned this is something they’d like to do.”
The report on Liberty Latin America’s purported proposal, dubbed ‘Project Bond’, was difficult to decode and determine what, if anything, is planned. The article, which appeared in the Bahama Journal, initially described a merger involving BTC, Cable Bahamas and the latter’s mobile affiliate, Aliv, via a holding company, called Liberty Newco, to create one Bahamian communications giant. However, it then gave the impression that what is being proposed is a joint venture to finance the rollout of 5G infrastructure and technology. “The combination of BTC, Cable Bahamas and Aliv enables investment into Next Gen (next generation) technology with a faster and
on their ‘non-core’ activities expanded by $11.9m (18.3 percent) to $76.6m as their provisions for bad debt declined by $6.5m. Meanwhile, other ‘non-interest’ income rose by $5m (7.1 percent), while depreciation costs fell by $0.4m (6.1 percent).”
Citing the boost to bank profitability, the Central Bank added: “As a percentage of average assets, the gross earnings margin firmed by 70 basis points to 6.43 percent as the commission and foreign exchange income ratio rose by 80 basis points to 1.5 percent, while the interest margin declined by 11 basis points to 4.92 percent.
“Further, the net earnings margin firmed by 82 basis points to 2.15 percent, while the operating costs
wider FTTH (fibre-to-thehome) and 5G roll out than possible if advanced independently,” the proposal to the Government allegedly said.
The rationale in favour of the proposal was cited as improved digital access and inclusion for all Bahamians; enhanced Family Islands services; greater network resilience against hurricanes and climate change-related impacts; and a greater role for the Government, which would enjoy increased income through higher dividend payments.
Among the ownership structures purportedly mulled for Liberty Newco was one where the Government had the largest equity stake of 46 percent; Liberty Latin America would own 33 percent, and Cable Bahamas just 21 percent. “The combination creates a scaled Bahamian-led regional hub with$450m revenue and $150m operating free cash flow post-synergies, generating scale benefits and flexibility,” the proposal allegedly argued.
The article had all the appearances of a ‘government plant’ designed to ‘test the waters’ and gauge both public and industry reaction. Even if the proposal is genuine, and the Government be minded to adopt it in some form, multiple obstacles must be overcome to bring it into effect and significant work would be required from all parties involved.
For starters, such a deal would have to be approved by the Government, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) and Cable Bahamas’ shareholders. The latter would probably have to vote in favour of it at
margin narrowed by 12 basis points to 4.28 percent. Overall, the net income (return on assets) ratio rose by 1.1 percentage points to 4.58 percent after accounting for a rise in other income sources, along with an increase in interest income and a reduction bad debt expense.”
Amid the profits increase, Bahamian commercial banks also enjoyed an improvement in their level of bad loans and ratios which was aided by delinquency write-offs.
“In particular, total private sector loan arrears decreased by $13.5m (2.9 percent) over the review quarter, and by $32.3m (6.7 percent) on an annual basis to $451.8m,” the Central Bank said.
NOTICE DISLECA INVESTIMENTOS LTD.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 210466 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 5th day of December A.D. 2025.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is LUIZ SIMIONATO, whose address is Rua Ivonete Lima Salles, 190 Bairro Universitario, CEP: 95041-640, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 31st day of December A.D. 2025 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 5th day of December A.D. 2025.
LUIZ SIMIONATO LIQUIDATOR
an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), and are unlikely to accept a minority stake that would leave Cable Bahamas/Aliv as the most junior partner. This is especially since Cable Bahamas and Aliv are bigger by revenue and market share, having generated a $242m-plus top-line for the financial year to endJune 2025 whereas BTC’s annual revenues are in the $200m range. It is likely that the BISX-listed communications provider would seek a greater equity ownership interest than BTC/Liberty Latin America.
The Government, meanwhile, is also in something of a conflicted position by having ownership interests in all three major communications players. Apart from a minority 49 percent interest in BTC, it also owns a majority 51.75 percent stake in Aliv, albeit Cable Bahamas has Board and management control. And the Government is, in effect, Cable Bahamas’ largest shareholder through the National Insurance Board’s 21.6 percent equity stake.
But, perhaps more important, the creation of a single communications entity would appear to herald a return to the old days of an industry monopoly and not be in the best interests of Bahamian consumers, businesses and the wider economy’s competitiveness in the 21st century digital economy.
The Bahamian experience of communications monopolies, especially in the old BaTelCo days, is of slow, inefficient and unresponsive companies that place the staff above customer needs, while offering high-priced products and services that limit economic growth and competitiveness.
“The corresponding arrears to total private sector loans ratio fell by 34 basis points over the quarter, and by 1.1 percentage points on a yearly basis to 7.6 percent. An analysis by age of delinquency revealed that short-term arrears (31 to 90 days) reduced by $13.5m (8.9 percent) to $138.7m, while theratio arrears to associated loans narrowed by 27 basis points to 2.3 percent.
“Meanwhile, non-performing loans (NPLs) - arrears in excess of 90 days and on which banks have ceased accruing interestwere relatively unchanged at $313.1m, with the attendant ratio remaining at 5.3 percent. The quarterly reduction in private sector loan arrears was led by an $11.8m (4.1 percent)
BTC’s privatisation in 2011 was a major step towards liberalisation and deregulation of Bahamian communications, which resulted in Aliv’s November 2016 launch and an end to BTC’s mobile exclusivity. This was designed to offer consumers better choice and pricing, with the ability to switch seamlessly between service providers, while incentivising greater investment in improved products and services. And the proposal would also appear to run counter to The Bahamas’ own electronic communications sector policy 2024-2027 plus the Communications Act, which sets as one of the Government’s legal policy objectives “encouraging, promoting and enforcing sustainable competition in the sector”. What has been suggested, on the face of it, could be deemed anti-competitive.
And the proposal to create a so-called national communications champion with regional scale would, if implemented, in effect result in different Liberty Latin America subsidiaries competing against each other given that, via CWC, its Liberty Caribbean affiliate is present in other multiple regional territories. Liberty Latin America’s recent financial results announcements, filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and its recent news releases also make no mention of the proposal. However, the ‘leak’ will likely fuel speculation that it may be seeking an exit route from The Bahamas and BTC, even though this nation has strategic value as the closest link to the US on fibre optic subsea cables carrying massive data traffic volumes.
retrenchment in mortgages, with the corresponding ratio declining by 52 basis points to 10.9 percent,” the regulator added.
“Similarly, consumer arrears declined by $3.1 million (2.5 percent), and the associated ratio by 25 basis points to 5.7 percent. In contrast, commercial delinquencies rose by $1.5m (3.1 percent) with the relevant ratio unchanged at 4 percent of total private sector loans.”
NOTICE RPESSOA INVESTIMENTOS LTD.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 210288 B.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 28th day of November A.D. 2025. RAFAEL MARQUES RIBEIRO PESSOA LIQUIDATOR
are designed to give the agency greater independence and autonomy.
Besides the $11m headed to Bahamix, the IDB papers seen by this newspaper disclose that a further $24m has been earmarked for two frequently flood-prone and stricken locationsPinewood Gardens and downtown Nassau. With $15m allocated for improving the residential community’s drainage systems, and $9m directed to similar upgrades in the Shirley Street and East Bay Street areas, these projects combined will consume more than one-third of the total funding.
“Enhancing the resilience of the island’s infrastructure is crucial for the reliability of transport systems, essential for economic and social activities and citizens’ daily life, maintaining access to key destinations such as employment, healthcare and education, while fostering productivity and economic growth,” the IDB said of Nassau and New Providence’s current woes.
“A recent ‘Blue Spot Analysis’ for New Providence that considered flood hazards from pluvial and coastal sources indicates increasing flood susceptibility for the road network and drainage systems under climate change (CC), particularly for areas along
main thoroughfares and in residential communities.
“Specifically, the study highlights that 51 percent of New Providence’s road network is at risk of flood damage. Consequently, it emphasises the need for proactive flood management strategies, including infrastructure adaptation and enhancement of natural flood defences like naturebased solutions (NbS) and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).”
The IDB study reiterated that The Bahamas is among the most vulnerable nations in the world due to its exposure to sea level rise and storm surges, with 80 percent of its landmass just one metre above sea level. It added that rising temperatures and increased rainfall demand that this nation make increased investments to enhance infrastructure investments.
“These contribute to The Bahamas’ estimated $360-$425m road transport infrastructure investment gap, plus an additional $68m for climate resilience,” the IDB said, referring to a 2022 report by the consultants, Castalia. “The transport sector is especially exposed, with frequent flooding causing disruptions to mobility and accessibility to destinations, particularly for vulnerable populations and public transit users.
“Inadequate storm water management affects road
Carrier aims to expand through Out Islands
COVER - from page B3
to see improved results this year.”
NAGICO (Bahamas) says its long-term goal is to expand its presence in the Family Islands. It is actively working to make insurance more easily accessible to persons throughout The Bahamas.
“Contrary to some other carriers who have tried to reduce their exposures in The Bahamas, we actually try to increase our exposure in The Bahamas,” Mr Bowleg said. “So our longterm goal is to increase our footprint, per se.
“We want to be active in more than just New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama. So we are looking at expanding to multiple islands in The Bahamas, and also providing more property insurance coverage and better motor policies to the entire Bahamas, not just one island.
“So, some carriers are looking to reduce their exposure in The Bahamas and branch out to other parts of the Caribbean. And we’re actually the reverse, because we are… one of the biggest carriers in the Caribbean at large now,” Mr Bowleg added.
“So we are in 36-plus territories already outside of The Bahamas. So we’re trying to increase our presence here. So we’re doing the reverse of some carriers who are trying to increase their presence elsewhere.”
Due to capital reserves and its reinsurance programme, Mr Bowleg said NAGICO (Bahamas) “are in a position we can comfortably withstand any
corridors, homes (residential communities), businesses and government services…. According to the IMF, securing physical assets through public investment in climate resilience and adaptation has the potential to increase GDP by 5.5-6.8 percent, highlighting the direct connection between bolstering resilience and the nation’s overall economic well-being.
“Additionally, a recent study estimates that economic losses due to damages from coastal flooding in The Bahamas’ road network exceed US$165m for a return period of five years.” These “losses” were said to be associated with “high risk coastal” roads, and the repair and replacement costs caused by flooding and erosion.
The IDB report added that New Providence is suffering from the “insufficient capacity of drainage and flood management urban systems to handle increased rainfall intensity, creating vulnerability of the road network to extreme weather”.
It warned: “Significant challenges are experienced by its citizens due to the island high ridges and low-lying valleys, which trap stormwater run-off, resulting in inefficiency of traditional roadway drainage solutions - consisting of pipes, drainage wells and ditch systems - that drains both the road corridor and adjacent properties.
“The expansion of urbanisation has reduced the natural drainage, percolation and water retention
Developer to
catastrophe, even one the size of Dorian and Melissa across multiple territories”. He added that the carrier has allocated significant resources to the Bahamian market to increase the availability of hurricane cover.
“We have done a lot with the community so far,” he added. “So we’ve contributed a lot to different charities and organisations so far. I believe with our enhanced community involvement, we also got some support from individuals as well.”
Mr Bowleg, who took on his role as territory head in February 2025, said that with a Bahamian leading NAGICO (Bahamas) there is a better understanding of the market.
“Additionally, we were able to garner a lot of support from local intermediaries, so our distribution network expanded,” he said. “So we have more agents. More agents represent NAGICO now than we would have had in the past.
“And in addition to that, we did some other restructuring things that are cost saving, which allows us to have greater capacity to write more business and manage our losses better. So, I think a combination of all of those things leads to the result that we have now.
“We believe the future of NAGICO is bright in The Bahamas. We believe that we’re going to continue to grow in The Bahamas... and that we are a profitable stable company that’s not going to fold.”
of the natural topography leading to significant effects for residential areas, commercial spaces and transportation infrastructure. This expansion has not been paired with adequate roadway drainage system upgrades…., resulting in frequent flooding.
“Roads often experience early deterioration as water accumulates on the road surface, leading to erosion and weakening of the base layers, causing cracks, potholes and other forms of pavement defects. Flooding also exacerbates maintenance issues, as flood-induced stress on the road structure can result in accelerated deterioration in a short period,” the IDB report continued.
“Moreover, the groundwater of New Providence is influenced by adjacent tidal elevations, which have been rising along with sea level predictions. This situation has rendered around 2 percent of the existing 3,000 drainage wells ineffective, given the low land elevation relative to the groundwater table.”
Turning to the specific flooding problems of Pinewood Gardens, the IDB report added: “The eastern section of New Providence is densely developed, comprising a mix of residential and commercial properties. Due to limited zoning regulations in The Bahamas, land use has evolved in an unplanned manner, resulting in many highly developed areas with minimal remaining permeable surfaces.
“This reduction in permeable ground has
‘vigorously’
push back on rivals
COURT - from page B3
Board that Sampson Cay Bahamas had withdrawn its application before the Town Planning Committee for site plan approval, the Board hereby sets aside the approval granted to Sampson Cay Bahamas by the Town Planning Committee in its decision dated 28 March, 2025,” said the Appeal’s Board’s decision.
The East Sampson Cay development has faced sustained opposition from neighbours, including the $75m Turtlegrass Resort, which last week secured the permission from the Supreme Court to proceed with its Judicial Review
challenge to the project’s environmental approvals. They argue that the project is too big, and out of scale, for the location, and that its planned development will likely damage the area’s environment.
Save Exuma Alliance (SEA), a coalition of local businesses opposed to the project, said the Judicial Review would allow the local community to understand how DEPP reached its decision to grant environmental approval.
“We welcome the Supreme Court allowing a review of the process used to give Yntegra environmental approval for the Rosewood project. This
New residential mortgages down 26% in third quarter
DEBT - from page B3
“Compared to the same period in 2024, total mortgage commitments for new buildings and repairs - a forward-looking
indicator of domestic activity - decreased by 32 to 82, with the corresponding value reducing by 43.8 percent to $29.6m,” the Central Bank continued. “Categorised by loan type,
significantly reduced the area’s natural infiltration capacity, contributing to increased and recurrent flooding. In Downtown Nassau, numerous drainpipes connect catch-pits on one side of the street to drainage wells on the opposite side. Additional shallow pipes and trenches convey stormwater directly to the sea.
“However, the shallow nature of these systems leads to frequent utility conflicts. Utilities are often routed through or across the stormwater infrastructure, reducing flow capacity and complicating maintenance efforts,” the papers added.
“The Pinewood Gardens subdivision… experiences the most severe and recurrent flooding in the city. This subdivision was developed in the 1960s before regulations on drainage systems, road grading or lot elevation were in place. The area currently includes a mix of drainage pipes, wells, a retention pond and swales. Despite these measures, the neighbourhood remains highly vulnerable to flooding.”
As for Bahamix, the IDB report said the Government’s annual Budget allocations for road maintenance have ranged from $9m-$13m over the past decade. However, the asphalt paving unit is held back by “inadequate and old machinery; institutional capacity deficits; and inadequate administrative and operational facilities”.
“Both asphalt pavers have been out of service for several months, 18 and 36, respectively, while the main
gives us a chance to understand how the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) conducted its environmental analysis and considered the local community in making its decision. We hope the result of the Judicial Review will allow local residents to provide more input about what they want, and what they think about this project,” said SEA. “We have heard from people all across Exuma who are concerned about the damage this project could cause – and more than 7,000 people have signed a petition calling for the approvals to be halted. We believe this is a chance for the developers to reconsider how this project could be done without the damage that has raised so much concern among locals.
the number of undisbursed residential commitments fell to 33 from 80, with the associated value decreasing by 4 percent ($1.1m) to $25.9m.
front-end loader has been down for seven months, with frequent downtime also affecting other equipment like the milling machine and truck,” the IDB report revealed.
“Bahamix is a manufacturing and service-oriented division of the Ministry of Works. It specialises in the production of asphaltic concrete, supplying asphalt to both public and private sector projects. The plant has an average annual output of approximately 50,000 tons.
“The Bahamix workforce consists of approximately 50 employees, distributed across subsections: Administration, stores, plant crew, laboratory, paving support staff and paving crew. Currently, administrative and laboratory operations are conducted in trailers that were initially intended as temporary facilities,” it added.
“These have now been in use for 17 years. Although some renovations have been undertaken to improve working conditions, the facilities remain inadequate to meet the operational needs of the staff.
“The programme will finance the construction of a permanent administrative block and a warehouse to store equipment and materials on the existing premises. During the site visit, it was also observed that Bahamix lacks environmental, health, and safety (EHS) procedures for plant operations.”
We are entirely in favour of development that can boost the Exumas. If Yntegra will listen to our concerns in widespread consultation, it is a chance to find a way to go forward without harming the environment.
“There are very good reasons for taking a moment and rethinking. As well as more than 7,000 people signing the petition, there has also been a survey by ORG (the Organisation for Responsible Governance) which shows 96 percent of local Exumians want the environment protected. The survey also shows that 75 percent are worried about that seawall. We hope this encourages the developer to take a moment, talk to the locals who will be affected by this, and do the project the right way.”
“Conversely, the number of approvals for commercial commitments for new buildings and repairs increased to two from one, while the corresponding value reduced considerably to $3.5m from $25.7m the year prior.
IN COLORADO TOWN BUILT ON COAL, SOME FAMILIES ARE MOVING ON, EVEN AS TRUMP TRIES TO BOOST INDUSTRY
By BRITTANY PETERSON and JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press
“In terms of interest rates, the average financing costs for residential mortgages decreased by 40 basis point to 5.6 percent vis-àvis the same quarter in the previous year. Likewise, the average interest costs for commercial disbursements narrowed by ten basis points to 6.4 percent.”
"People have to start looking beyond coal," said Matt Cooper. "And that can be a multitude of things. Our economy has been so focused on coal and coalfired power plants. And we need the diversity."
Many countries and about half of U.S. states are moving away from coal, citing environmental impacts and high costs.
THE Cooper family knows how to work heavy machinery. The kids could run a hay baler by their early teens, and two of the three ran monster-sized drills at the coal mines along with their dad. But learning to maneuver the shiny red drill they use to tap into underground heat feels different. It's a critical part of the new family business, High Altitude Geothermal, which installs geothermal heat pumps that use the Earth's constant temperature to heat and cool buildings. At stake is not just their livelihood but a century-long family legacy of producing energy in Moffat County. Like many families here, the Coopers have worked in coal for generations — and in oil before that. That's ending for Matt Cooper and his son Matthew as one of three coal mines in the area closes in a statewide shift to cleaner energy.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
First Bahamas Title Insurance Agency Limited has been granted approval from the Insurance Commission of The Bahamas to proceed with the voluntary liquidation of the Company pursuant with the Companies (Winding up Amendment) Act, 2011, with wind-up of its business under the provisions of the Insurance Act, 2005. H
JUDGE PARKER BLONDIE TIGER
CALVIN & HOBBES
DENNIS THE MENACE
US Steel to resume production at Illinois plant shut 2 years ago
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
U.S. Steel said it will resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois as demand rebounds.
The company shut down the last blast furnace there in 2023, and it even moved to wind down its steel processing mill there in September.
However, it reversed its stance on the processing mill, under pressure from the White House, and now says it is going a step further by resuming steel making by reopening the blast furnace it idled two years ago amid strikes by the United Auto Workers.
U.S. Steel on Thursday cited "customer demand" in beginning the process of restarting a blast furnace at the plant in Southern Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
"After several months of carefully analyzing customer demand, we made the decision to restart a blast furnace," CEO David
Burritt said a statement. "Steel remains a highly competitive and highly cyclical industry, but we are confident in our ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand."
The Pittsburgh company expects to resume steel production in the first half of next year after it hires and trains workers and gets equipment in safe working order. It will need to hire 400 of the 500 workers
necessary to operate the plant, the company said. Currently, there are 12 operating blast furnaces in the U.S., the American Iron and Steel Institute said, down from about 140 in the 1970s before foreign
Railroads will be allowed to reduce inspections and rely more on technology to spot track problems
By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer
THE nation's freight railroads are going to be able to try relying more on technology and inspect their tracks in person less often after the federal government approved their waiver request on Friday.
The Association of American Railroads trade group asked for the relief from inspection requirements that were written back in 1971 because railroads believe the automated track inspection technology they use today is so good at spotting problems early that human inspections aren't needed as frequently. They say that extended tests that BNSF and Norfolk Southern ran show that safety actually improved even when human inspections were reduced from twice a week to twice a month.
The Federal Railroad Administration didn't go quite that far in its decision, but the agency said railroads will be able to cut inspections down to only once a week under the approved waiver.
The railroads had also asked for permission to have up to three days to repair defects identified by the automated inspections. But the Federal Railroad Administration said any serious defects in the tracks must be repaired immediately and all defects should be addressed within 24 hours.
Union says technology can miss problems
These automated inspection systems use an array of cameras and lasers installed either on a locomotive or on a railcar that can be pulled as part of a train to assess whether the tracks are moving out of alignment or shifting. But the union that represents track inspectors says the technology can't detect things like the rock underneath the track shifting, vegetation growing into the path of the trains, a crack in the rail or railroad ties rotting out. Plus, inspectors can spot a combination of small
defects that might together derail a train where the machine might not register a problem, the union says.
"This is everyday defects across the entire country that we find through visual inspections that cannot be detected by this machinery," Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union President Tony Cardwell said. "And that technology is not there. It has been here for 30 years. It hasn't really advanced much at all. It's a glorified tape measure."
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that represents track inspectors acknowledges that this technology does help spot problems. But the union says that this automated inspection equipment should supplement — not replace — human inspections because reducing track inspections would increase the risk of derailments.
The railroads counter that even if these systems can't see the ballast shifting under the tracks or the ties starting to rot, the system will notice the symptoms of those problems because the track geometry — basically the alignment of the tracks — will be affected when those things happen.
"What it is looking at is the ultimate performance. If those components are doing their job, then the track geometry is being maintained. If they're not doing their job, the track geometry is not being maintained," said Mike Rush, the Association of American Railroads' senior vice president of safety and operations.
Companies say technology is more effective
BNSF railroad said when it was arguing with the Federal Railroad Administration about whether their test should be extended that the "technology has proven to be far more sensitive and effective at detecting geometry defects on BNSF's network than the regime of manual visual inspections mandated by the historic regulations."
NOTICE is hereby given that WENDELL ALKACHINO (FORMERLY KNOWN AS JEAN WENDEL SIDELIEN) of Finlayson Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8th day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Over two years of testing, manual inspections detected only 0.01 defects per 100 miles, compared with the section of the railroad where the test was being run where the combination of the technology and reduced inspections found 4.54 defects per 100 miles.
The Federal Railroad Administration agreed that tracks don't need to be inspected visually as frequently when these automated track inspection systems are used regularly. Cardwell and the union's safety director, Roy Morrison, think that's a bad idea. They said that one of the benefits of frequent inspections is that the inspectors become intimately familiar with their territories, which helps them spot subtle
changes. If they aren't out on the tracks as often, it may be harder to spot problems, they said.
"A track inspector who's out on his mainline track twice a week, he knows that track inside out, and a lot of times he'll spot a defect without even knowing what he's looking at yet," Morrison said. "He'll get out of the truck and say, hey, there's something wrong here. Take some measurements and go, OK, this is what's going on."
But the railroads say that freeing up inspectors from some of these mandated track inspections will allow them to focus more on switches and other equipment that must be inspected manually. Plus, Norfolk Southern noted in its comments on the request that
competition devastated the American steel industry. Nobody in the U.S. has opened a new blast furnace in decades. But economic conditions in the industry have improved the last few years.
Analysts say a robust U.S. steel market has been strengthened by tariffs under President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.
In addition, rebounding automaking and construction are helping, the institute said.
The institute reported that domestic steel mills in October shipped 7.7 million net tons, a 9% percent increase over the same month a year ago. Yearto-date shipments through October were up 5% over the same period in 2024, it said.
The decision by U.S. Steel, comes less than six months after Japan-based
Nippon Steel sealed a deal with Trump to buy the iconic American steelmaker for $14.9 billion. To resolve national security objections to the acquisition, Nippon Steel agreed to give the federal government a say in certain company decisions involving domestic steel production, including over closing or idling U.S. Steel's plants.
It also pledged to invest some $14 billion in steel production in the U.S., including building a new electric furnace.
Under the national security agreement, protections expire in 2027 for Granite City Works, but last until 2035 for U.S. Steel's other facilities.
Granite City Works makes rolls of sheet steel for the construction, container, pipe and automotive industries.
even if regular inspections aren't being done as often, special inspections will still be done regularly anytime there is a major storm or flooding in a certain area to make sure the tracks weren't affected.
Norfolk Southern said that during its 18-month
Government waives part of a Bidenera fine against Southwest Airlines
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
THE U.S. Department of Transportation is waiving part of a fine assessed against Southwest Airlines after the company canceled thousands of flights during a winter storm in 2022.
Under a 2023 settlement reached by the Biden administration, Southwest agreed to a $140 million civil penalty. The government said at the time that the penalty was the largest it had ever imposed on an airline for violating consumer protection laws.
Most of the money went toward compensation for
travelers. But Southwest agreed to pay $35 million to the U.S. Treasury. Southwest made a $12 million payment in 2024 and a second $12 million payment earlier this year. But the Transportation Department issued an order Friday waiving the final $11 million payment, which was due Jan. 31, 2026.
The department said Southwest should get credit for significantly improving its on-time performance and investing in network operations.
"DOT believes that this approach is in the public interest as it incentivizes airlines to invest in improving their operations and
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Public is hereby advised that we, NADYA BOWE AND CHRISTOPHER COX of #7 Village Cress, New Providence, Bahamas, parents of AYDAN ISAIAH CHRISTIAN BOWE intend to change our child’s name to AYDAN ISAIAH CHRISTIAN COX. If there are any objections to this change of name by deed poll, you may write such objection to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-3746, Nassau, The Bahamas or at deedpoll@bahamas.gov.bs no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice. INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
NOTICE is hereby given that ATRIN SWIFT of #16 Lumber Road, Malcom Road West Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 1st day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
resiliency, which benefits consumers directly," the department said in a statement. "This credit structure allows for the benefits of the airline's investment to be realized by the public, rather than resulting in a government monetary penalty."
The fine stemmed from a winter storm in December 2022 that paralyzed Southwest's operations in
test of reducing inspections while using the technology, the railroad saw improvements in areas that the automated system can't find because inspectors were free to spend more time focused on those areas.
Denver and Chicago and then snowballed when a crew-rescheduling system couldn't keep up with the chaos. Ultimately the airline canceled 17,000 flights and stranded more than 2 million travelers.
The Biden administration determined that Southwest had violated the law by failing to help customers who were stranded in airports and hotels, leaving many of them to scramble for other flights. Many who called the airline's overwhelmed customer service center got busy signals or were stuck on hold for hours.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DEEPTHI THIKKAVARAPU of Cable Beach, P. O. Box SS19987, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8th day of December, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that ISAAC RICKY ARISTE of East Street South, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 1st day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Granite City, Ill.
Photo:Jeff Roberson/AP
A BNSF locomotive pulls an automated track inspection railcar down the tracks in Valencia County, New Mexico, July 31, 2018.
Photo:Railway/AP
THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHS ANOTHER STEP IN FAVOR OF BROAD PRESIDENTIAL POWER SOUGHT BY TRUMP
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
CHIEF Justice John Roberts has led the Supreme Court 's conservative majority on a steady march of increasing the power of the presidency, starting well before Donald Trump's time in the White House.
The justices could take the next step in a case being argued Monday that calls for a unanimous 90-year-old decision limiting executive authority to be overturned.
The court's conservatives, liberal Justice Elena Kagan noted in September, seem to be "raring to take that action."
They already have allowed Trump, in the opening months of the Republican's second term, to fire almost everyone he has wanted, despite the court's 1935 decision in Humphrey's Executor that prohibits the president from removing the heads of independent agencies without cause. The officials include Rebecca Slaughter, whose firing from the Federal Trade Commission is at issue in the current case, as well as officials from the National Labor Relations
Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The only officials who have so far survived efforts to remove them are Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve governor, and Shira Perlmutter, a copyright official with the Library of Congress. The court already has suggested that it will view the Fed differently from other independent agencies, and Trump has said he wants her out because of allegations of mortgage fraud. Cook says she did nothing wrong.
Humphrey's Executor has long been a target of the conservative legal movement that has embraced an expansive view of presidential power known as the unitary executive.
The case before the high court involves the same agency, the FTC, that was at issue in 1935. The justices established that presidents — Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt at the time — could not fire the appointed leaders of the alphabet soup of federal agencies without cause.
The decision ushered in an era of powerful
independent federal agencies charged with regulating labor relations, employment discrimination, the air waves and much else.
Proponents of the unitary executive theory have said the modern administrative state gets the Constitution all wrong: Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch answer to the president, and that includes the ability to fire their leaders at will.
As Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in a 1988 dissent that has taken on mythical status among conservatives, "this does not mean some of the executive power, but all of the executive power."
Since 2010 and under Roberts' leadership, the Supreme Court has steadily whittled away at laws restricting the president's ability to fire people.
In 2020, Roberts wrote for the court that "the President's removal power is the rule, not the exception" in a decision upholding Trump's firing of the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau despite job protections similar to those upheld in Humphrey's case.
In the 2024 immunity decision that spared Trump
from being prosecuted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, Roberts included the power to fire among the president's "conclusive and preclusive" powers that Congress lacks the authority to restrict.
But according to legal historians and even a prominent proponent of the originalism approach to interpreting the Constitution that is favored by conservatives, Roberts may be wrong about the history underpinning the unitary executive.
"Both the text and the history of Article II are far more equivocal than the current Court has been suggesting," wrote Caleb Nelson, a University of Virginia law professor who once served as a law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas.
MASSACHUSETTS COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS IN LAWSUIT ALLEGING META DESIGNED APPS TO BE ADDICTIVE TO KIDS
By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press
MASSACHUSETTS'
highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram
to make them addictive to young users.
The lawsuit, filed in 2024 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in
Massachusetts who use the social media platforms.
"We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways," said State Solicitor David Kravitz,
adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content.
Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is "confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young
Jane Manners, a Fordham University law professor, said she and other historians filed briefs with the court to provide history and context about the removal power in the country's early years that also could lead the court to revise its views. "I'm not holding my breath," she said.
Slaughter's lawyers embrace the historians' arguments, telling the court that limits on Trump's power are consistent with the Constitution and U.S. history.
The Justice Department argues Trump can fire board members for any reason as he works to carry out his agenda and that the precedent should be tossed aside.
"Humphrey's Executor was always egregiously
people." Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit "would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions" and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
"The Commonwealth would have a better chance of getting around the First Amendment if they alleged that the speech was false or fraudulent," Mosier said.
"But when they acknowledge that its truthful that brings it in the heart of the First Amendment."
Several of the judges, though, seem to more concerned about Meta's functions such as notifications than the content on its platforms.
"I didn't understand the claims to be that Meta is relaying false information vis-a-vis the notifications but that it has created an algorithm of incessant notifications ... designed so as to feed into the fear of missing out, fomo, that teenagers generally have," Justice Dalila Wendland said. "That is the basis of the claim."
Justice Scott Kafker challenged the notion that this was all about a choose to publish certain information by Meta.
"It's not how to publish but how to attract you to the information," he said. "It's about how to attract the eyeballs. It's indifferent the content, right. It doesn't care if it's Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' or nonsense. It's totally focused on getting you to look at it."
wrong," Solicitor General D.
A second question in the case could affect Cook, the Fed governor. Even if a firing turns out to be illegal, the court wants to decide whether judges have the power to reinstate someone. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote earlier this year that fired employees who win in court can likely get back pay, but not reinstatement. That might affect Cook's ability to remain in her job.
The justices have seemed wary about the economic uncertainty that might result if Trump can fire the leaders of the central bank. The court will hear separate arguments in January about whether Cook can remain in her job as her court case challenging her firing proceeds.
Meta is facing federal and state lawsuits claiming it knowingly designed features — such as constant notifications and the ability to scroll endlessly — that addict children.
In 2023, 33 states filed a joint lawsuit against the Menlo Park, California-based tech giant claiming that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, states including Massachusetts filed their own lawsuits in state courts over addictive features and other harms to children. Newspaper reports, first by The Wall Street Journal in the fall of 2021, found that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers — especially teen girls — when it comes to mental health and body image issues. One internal study cited 13.5% of teen girls saying Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse and 17% of teen girls saying it makes eating disorders worse. Critics say Meta hasn't done enough to address concerns about teen safety and mental health on its platforms. A report from former employee and whistleblower Arturo Bejar and four nonprofit groups this year said Meta has chosen not to take "real steps" to address safety concerns, "opting instead for splashy headlines about new tools for parents and Instagram Teen Accounts for underage users."
John Sauer wrote.
A WORKER shovels snow and ice in front of the Supreme Court building during the first snowfall of the winter season on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington.
Photo:Mark Schiefelbein/AP
ATTENDEES visit the Meta booth at the Game Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco on March 22, 2023.
Photo:Jeff Chiu/AP
AI-powered police body cameras, once taboo, get tested on Canadian city’s ‘watch list’ of faces
By MATT O'BRIEN and GARANCE BURKE Associated Press
POLICE body cameras equipped with artificial intelligence have been trained to detect the faces of about 7,000 people on a "high risk" watch list in the Canadian city of Edmonton, a live test of whether facial recognition technology shunned as too intrusive could have a place in policing throughout North America.
But six years after leading body camera maker
Axon Enterprise, Inc. said police use of facial recognition technology posed serious ethical concerns, the pilot project — switched on last week— is raising alarms far beyond Edmonton, the continent's northernmost city of more than 1 million people.
A former chair of Axon's AI ethics board, which led the company to temporarily abandon facial recognition in 2019, told The Associated Press he's concerned that the Arizona-based company is moving forward without enough public debate, testing and expert vetting about the societal risks and privacy implications.
"It's essential not to use these technologies, which have very real costs and risks, unless there's some clear indication of the benefits," said the former board chair, Barry Friedman, now a law professor at New York University.
Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith contends that the Edmonton pilot is not a product launch but "early-stage field research" that will assess how the technology performs and reveal the safeguards needed to use it responsibly.
"By testing in real-world conditions outside the U.S., we can gather independent insights, strengthen oversight frameworks, and apply
those learnings to future evaluations, including within the United States," Smith wrote in a blog post.
The pilot is meant to help make Edmonton patrol officers safer by enabling their body-worn cameras to detect anyone who authorities classified as having a "flag or caution" for categories such as "violent or assaultive; armed and dangerous; weapons; escape risk; and high-risk offender," said Kurt Martin, acting superintendent of the Edmonton Police Service. So far, that watch list has 6,341 people on it, Martin said at a Dec. 2 press conference. A separate watch list adds 724 people who have at least one serious criminal warrant, he said.
"We really want to make sure that it's targeted so that these are folks with serious offenses," said Ann-Li Cooke, Axon's director of responsible AI.
If the pilot expands, it could have a major effect on policing around the world.
Axon, a publicly traded firm best known for developing the Taser, is the dominant U.S. supplier of body cameras and has increasingly pitched them to police agencies in Canada and elsewhere. Axon last year beat its closest competitor, Chicago-based Motorola Solutions, in a bid to sell body cameras to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Motorola said in a statement that it also has the ability to integrate facial recognition technology into police body cameras but, based on its ethical principles, has "intentionally abstained from deploying this feature for proactive identification." It didn't rule out using it in the future.
The government of Alberta in 2023 mandated body cameras for all police agencies in the province, including its capital city
Edmonton, describing it as a transparency measure to document police interactions, collect better evidence and reduce timelines for resolving investigations and complaints.
While many communities in the U.S. have also welcomed body cameras as an accountability tool, the prospect of real-time facial recognition identifying people in public places has been unpopular across the political spectrum. Backlash from civil liberties advocates and a broader conversation about racial injustice helped push Axon and Big Tech companies to pause facial recognition software sales to police.
Among the biggest concerns were studies showing that the technology was flawed, demonstrating biased results by race, gender and age. It also didn't match faces as accurately on real-time video feeds as it did on faces posing for identification cards or police mug shots.
Several U.S. states and dozens of cities have sought to curtail police use of facial recognition, though President Donald Trump's administration is now trying to block or discourage states from regulating AI.
The European Union banned real-time public face-scanning police technology across the 27-nation bloc, except when used for serious crimes like kidnapping or terrorism.
But in the United Kingdom, no longer part of the EU, authorities started testing the technology on London streets a decade ago and have used it to make 1,300 arrests in the past two years. The government is considering expanding its use across the country.
Many details about Edmonton's pilot haven't been publicly disclosed. Axon doesn't make its own AI model for recognizing faces but declined to say which third-party vendor it uses.
Edmonton police say the pilot will continue through the end of December and only during daylight hours.
"Obviously it gets dark pretty early here," Martin said. "Lighting conditions, our cold temperatures during the wintertime, all those things will factor into what we're looking at in terms of a successful proof of concept."
Martin said about 50 officers piloting the technology won't know if the facial recognition software made
body
is
a match. The outputs will be analyzed later at the station. In the future, however, it could help police detect if there's a potentially dangerous person nearby so they can call in for assistance, Martin said.
That's only supposed to happen if officers have started an investigation or are responding to a call, not simply while strolling through a crowd. Martin said officers responding to a call can switch their cameras from a passive to an active recording mode with higher-resolution imaging.
"We really want to respect individuals' rights and their privacy interests," Martin said.
The office of Alberta's information and privacy commissioner Diane McLeod said she received a privacy impact assessment from Edmonton police on Dec. 2, the same day Axon and police officials announced the program. The office said Friday it's now working to review the assessment, a requirement for projects that collect "high sensitivity" personal data.
University of Alberta criminology professor Temitope Oriola said he's not surprised that the city is experimenting with live facial recognition, given that the technology is already ubiquitous in airport security and other environments.
"Edmonton is a laboratory for this tool," Oriola said. "It may well turn out to be an improvement, but we do not know that for sure."
Oriola said the police service has had a sometimes "frosty" relationship with its Indigenous and Black residents, particularly after
the fatal police shooting of a member of the South Sudanese community last year, and it remains to be seen whether facial recognition technology makes policing safer or improves interactions with the public. Axon has faced blowback for its technology deployments in the past, as in 2022, when Friedman and seven other members of Axon's AI ethics board resigned in protest over concerns about a Taser-equipped drone. In the years since Axon opted against facial recognition, Smith, the CEO, says the company has "continued controlled, lab-based research" of a technology that has "become significantly more accurate" and is now ready for trial in the real world.
But Axon acknowledged in a statement to the AP that all facial recognition systems are affected by "factors like distance, lighting and angle, which can disproportionately impact accuracy for darker-skinned individuals."
Every match requires human review, Axon said, and part of its testing is also "learning what training and oversight human reviewers must have to mitigate known risks."
Friedman said Axon should disclose those evaluations. He'd want to see more evidence that facial recognition has improved since his board concluded that it wasn't reliable enough to ethically justify its use in police cameras. Friedman said he's also concerned about police agencies greenlighting the technology's use without deliberation by local legislators and rigorous scientific testing.
AN AXON
camera
worn by MSGT Matt Gilmore who is one of the officers using Axon’s Draft One AI software at OKCPD headquarters on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
