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VAT Accountability demanded by Bahamians, State Minister slammed over speech at PLP Convention

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Nassau, Bahamas, January 31, 2017It sounded rhythmic and it did rouse the party base during the recent PLP convention but now Bahamians are blasting the State Minister for finance for making hyped up claims which many believe are simply untrue. 

 That’s where the VAT money went was the recurrent chorus by Michael Halkitis on opening night of the Progressive Liberal Party’s Convention but Opposition challenges, fact checking and media interviews do not bear those claims out and challenged the Minister firmly on his now controversial speech. 
 
VAT was introduced in 2015 with tremendous national push back, still it passed into law that 7.5% would be charged on most goods and services. 
The tax far exceeded expectations and reportedly raised around a billion dollars, with some $850 million said to have been collected. The question was a lingering one, where did the money from VAT go and so Minister Halkitis’ use of the PLP podium to make the announcement was a sound decision, thousands would be watching. 
 
And they were, among them FNM Chairman, Sidney Collie who is now calling on the PLP Government to tell Bahamians the truth.  Collie is joined by the Democratic National Alliance and Greg Moss, the MP for Marco City who disagree with pronouncements by Mr. Halkitis.  In a media statement Collie said Bahamians will not believe the rhetoric and that Bahamians reject the new explanation that VAT monies did not go to pay off debt, but to fund projects.  In a radio talk show, Minister Halkitis was taken to task for the breakdown of the monies to projects. 
 
Perry Christie PLP ConventionNo schools he was reminded have been built in four and a half years of the 2012 Perry Christie Administration, so what did he mean when he said VAT money went there… “We are building new schools and have invested tens of millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades of existing schools, thus empowering our young people.  That’s where the VAT money gone.” 
 
The PLP Administration in this presentation by the State Minister also said it provided $12 million for the COB to University of The Bahamas transition and they have doubled scholarship funded from $7.73 million to $16.3 million.   Another $150 million to the National Health Insurance plan, $100 million to Bahamasair for a new fleet of aircraft and $232 million on border and marine resources protection. 
 
However, when asked this week about spending on all of the above Mr. Halkitis had to give a different version of events.  The State Minister for Finance instead explained that VAT money was used to help secure the loan for Bahamasair new planes and needs for improved border security and that some of the VAT money has been earmarked for assistance with NHI – not yet spent as he said during convention.  Halkitis defended that he did not believe he misrepresented the facts in his presentation. 
 
Still, those criticizing his speech express that they are more interested in hard facts, truths and evidence on the billion dollar VAT spending than they are with semantics.  Branville McCartney of the DNA called for the Central Revenue Agency which was supposed to be established as an oversight body for the Value Added Tax.  McCartney said the PLP is guilty of wasteful spending and went 100 times over budget and now the Party is using VAT money to make up for errors at tax payers’ expense.
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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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