Mr. Speaker:
Late last evening health officials
confirmed two additional cases of
individuals who tested positive for
Covid-19 on New Providence.
These individuals were identified
through contact tracing.
The Ministry of Health’s surveillance unit has aggressively undertaken contact tracing activities for the initial case reported.
These contact tracing investigations have revealed that household members of the COVID 19 positive patient traveled to jurisdictions with known community transmission – Canada, Trinidad and Dubai.
These household contacts have
been quarantined and samples
taken for testing.
Other contacts, including healthcare providers, are being investigated to determine their level of exposure and risk.
A total of 30 contacts of the
COVID-19 positive patient have
been identified.
The Minister of Health will provide
more details in his communication.
Mr. Speaker: The Covid-19 pandemic is a threat not seen in the lifetime of most people alive today.
The world is at war with this virus.
As Prime Minister, as a medical doctor, I will do everything in my power to protect the Bahamian people. Over several decades I have seen, treated and comforted thousands of patients.
Some were in life-and-death circumstances.
The most difficult and painful days
in my life, were when a mother or child
or both were lost.
I took a medical oath to save lives.
But that oath only really became real when my heart broke and I couldn’t stop the tears after I lost a
patient or when I saw a mother crying because she lost her baby.
This made me even more
determined to save every life I could.
This is the same resolve and
determination I am bringing to this fight
today.
As a doctor there were times when I had to take extraordinary measures
to save mothers and new-borns coming into the world.
As prime minister it is my mission,
my determination, my responsibility to
save and to protect every life I can
during this crisis.
We are going to defeat this threat!
Mr. Speaker: We are at war with this virus. As prime minister and as a medical doctor I will lead this fight with all of my strength and determination.
We will act decisively in order to save lives and lessen the suffering of our people.
Toward this end:
Exercising his powers under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Governor General
has issued a proclamation of emergency.
The proclamation of emergency
took effect on Tuesday, March 17,
The Proclamation will give the
Government necessary and
emergency powers to aggressively
combat the Covid-19 emergency.
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I wish to state the new emergency
measures we are enacting are to save
lives and to protect our country.
These measures are in the
Emergency Powers (Covid 19)
Regulations, 2020, we are tabling
today.
Mr. Speaker:
We live in an open, free democratic
society.
Our freedoms and right are protected by and enshrined in our Constitution.
Our Founders included in the
Constitution the legal provision to allow
the Governor General to make
proclamations of emergency.
The measures we seek to invoke through these regulations derive from the authority bestowed by our supreme civic law.
Mr. Speaker: The regulations allow for the following new authority for state.
Where a health officer has reasonable grounds to believe a person is or may be infected or contaminated with Covid-19, and the health officer considers there is a risk the person might infect or contaminate others, the health officer may order such a person detained for screening and assessment.
Following such an assessment a health officer is empowered to impose on or in relation to that person any other restriction or requirement the health officer considers necessary to remove or reduce the risk of infecting or contaminating others.
A decision to impose such a restriction or requirement may only be taken if the health officer considers the restriction proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by imposing it.
Where such a restriction or requirement is imposed on or in relation to a child, an adult responsible for the child must ensure the child complies with the restriction or requirement, insofar as the person is reasonably able to do so.
A health officer may require a
person be kept in isolation, if the
health officer: • has reasonable grounds to believe a person is or may be infected or contaminated with Covid-19;
• and the health officer considers that it
is necessary and proportionate to do
so in order to reduce or remove the
risk of the person infecting or
contaminating others.
We need the power to order people into isolation to stop the spread of this virus.
Mr. Speaker: Broader social distancing of the public is key to limiting Covid-19’s spread.
Through these regulations the
Prime Minister may by order cause to
be revoked or suspended all permits
for the use of public open spaces in
any particular area, or an entire island,
or the country as a whole in the
interest of public health safety.
The Prime Minister may by order prohibit the assembly of two or more persons in a public place in any area specified in the interest of public health safety.
The Prime Minister may by order, impose isolation on all individuals within a particular area, island or the entire country in the interest of public health safety. Where isolation has been imposed, the Prime Minister may:
• require the closure of all educational or religious institutions in the area specified;
• require the closure of any business
or organisation that caters to the public
in the areas specified, unless
permitted otherwise by the order;
• prohibit the visitation by persons at
all residential care establishments;
• prohibit the visitation by people at all correctional facilities;
• require every person to confine him
or her self at his or her place of
residence and enclosed property,
unless otherwise specified by the
order;
• permit the travel of persons to a grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, doctor, hospital or such other place as may be specified in the order.
Mr. Speaker: These regulations also provide for curfews during the emergency proclamation period if deemed necessary.
The Prime Minister may by order
require every person within any area
specified to remain within doors
between such hours as specified in the
order.
The Prime Minister may by order prohibit a person from residing in or entering any area specified in the order if such person is suspected of acting or of having acted, or of being about to act, in a manner prejudicial to:
• the public safety;
• the supply or distribution of any
necessity of life;
• or, the preservation of the peace.
Mr. Speaker: These regulations give the Prime Minister, when it is deemed necessary for the emergency, the power to requisition any building, ship, aircraft or article in the country.
If such requisition is ordered, at the conclusion of the requisition it shall be ensured that there is prompt and adequate compensation in the circumstances to the owner or occupier of such building, ship, aircraft or article.
Mr. Speaker:
The regulations give the Governor
General authority to requisition
essential services for the period of the
emergency proclamation or a period
therein.
Where any essential service is requisitioned the Governor General shall by instrument in writing appoint some person as controller of the service.
“Essential services” mean any
service established, maintained or
operated by the Government, or by
any public or private enterprise, or
otherwise, for:
• the collection, storage, purification or
distribution of water for use by the
public;
• the collection, storage, treatment and disposal of sewage or garbage or refuse;
• the manufacture, storage or
distribution of gas for use by the
public;
• or, the removal, handling or burial of
deceased persons or disposal of dead
animals.
Mr. Speaker: Through these regulations and in the interest of protecting public safety and health, the Prime Minister in consultation with the Minister of Finance may by order waive the application of any rules or law governing the procurement of goods and services.
The Minister of Finance shall within six weeks of the expiration of the proclamation of emergency lay a report before the House of Assembly detailing:
• the total expenditure of the goods
and services procured;
• the suppliers of the goods and
services procured;
• the reasons for the use of the
suppliers of the goods and the
providers of the services.
The Prime Minister also may by order waive or vary the payment of any fees for the testing and medical services rendered at any public hospital or healthcare facility in relation to Covid
Bahamas Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert A. Minnis
Mr. Speaker:
There has been a problem in The
Bahamas for some time with the
creation and spread of malicious fake
news.
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We live in a free and open society
where citizens have a right to express
their opinions.
A free press plays a vital role in
protecting our freedoms.
I am pleased that the political party
I have the privilege of leading freed the
broadcast media from state control.
Sadly, today, the malicious creation of misinformation for the purpose of creating harm, chaos, violence and disorder is deeply worrisome.
There are people who create such
misinformation and disinformation for
malicious reasons.
The spread of malicious fake news
has the potential to: cause violence;
runs on financial institutions and/or
critical food and medical supplies.
Such fake news may cause widespread panic that prevents citizens from following directions designed to protect their lives during a crisis.
‘Fake News’ cited in Emergency Powers ordinance as a public health and safety enemy
Under these regulations, no person shall publish or cause to be published, posted or re-posted over any media platform, inclusive of social media, any purported news or report or purported statement of fact, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect the same is: untrue or false; or may incite public fear, panic or ethnic hatred.
Mr. Speaker:
We do not know what new
problems may emerge during this
emergency period.
Out of an abundance of caution, a provision exists in these regulations by which the Governor General may authorize international or regional military or police forces as may be requested by the Government to serve as peace officers and assist in:
• the storage, safe keeping or
distribution of relief supplies;
• the provision of any essential
services;
• and the maintenance of public order.
Mr. Speaker: I have outlined the major components of these regulations.
Some of these provisions may be
invoked. Some may not.
We have brought forward these
regulations to have the legal powers
necessary at hand to respond quickly
and decisively to this crisis.
Mr. Speaker: We must all play a major role in the days and weeks ahead.
We must stay united.
The Government is using the full
capacity of the law and state to win
this fight against the virus.
Each Bahamian can be part of the battle by rejecting the spirit of negativity that has infected too much of our public conversation.
Do not join them.
I am so proud of our health
professionals, who labour long hours
to care for the sick and to ease the
suffering of those in pain.
They spend long hours at work away from their families trying to keep us safe.
Let us value their sacrifice. Let us thank them for their service.
Let us pray that God gives them
extra wisdom, energy and
understanding to lead us to better
outcomes.
If we keep a unity of spirit and
purpose during this crisis we will come
out of it better as a people.
Bahamians built this archipelago with their hands generation by generation.
Each time we have faced a crisis,
our unbreakable Bahamian spirit has
come to the fore.
We have worked together.
We have helped each other.
There is no fight we cannot overcome when we stand together, united across this blessed and beautiful archipelago.
Mr. Speaker:
We can and we will co-operate with
others in fighting this deadly invader.
As one people we must make the
best use of what we have.
We must once again rely on the resilience, the imagination, the love and the faith which have defined us and sustained us over many generations.
Now is not the time for panic but for
discipline.
Now is not the time for selfishness
but for sharing.
We must remain calm.
We must be civil with one another
as we, together, face this challenge.
It is going to be difficult, but all things come to an end and so this crisis will also end.
Mr. Speaker:
I wish to end with these words of
hope from Psalm 46:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 43 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 44 8 Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
#NASSAU, The Bahamas, May 30, 2023 – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said in the House of Assembly, on May 31, 2023, that public revenue receipts were strong over the nine-month period of July 2022 to March 2023, due to legislative reform, effective policy decisions, strengthened economic conditions and more efficient collection efforts.
“Analysis of the trends of the first three quarters of this fiscal year, and the years prior, suggest that the government is potentially set to exceed the $2.85 billion target set forth in the February 2023 Mid-year Supplementary Budget,” he said, during his Communication on Budget 2023.
“I am confident the revenue outturn at the end of the Fiscal Year 22/23 will near $2.9 billion.
Public spending has remained on track, and is well within the budgeted amount,” Prime Minister Davis added. “For this reason I am confident that expenditure at end of the Fiscal Year 2022/23 will almost reach the target of $3.1 billion set in the Supplementary Budget.”
He pointed out that the primary balance will, therefore, record a surplus of $68.4 million at the end of the fiscal year, a $54.8 million increase from the $13.6 million surplus projected in the supplementary budget.
“Likewise, the overall deficit is expected to improve to $520.6 million, down from the $575.4 million outlined in the supplementary budget,” he said.
Speaking of Government financing, Prime Minister Davis said that The Bahamas’ borrowing costs had begun to experience a downward trend in the previous quarter; but the cost of borrowing rose at the end of March 2023.
“At the end of the third quarter, the total average cost of borrowing for current outstanding debt had risen to an interest rate of 5.55 percent,” he pointed out. “This is notably higher than the previous year’s rate of 4.93 percent at the end of March 2022.
“This increase in borrowing costs is primarily attributable to the higher costs associated with external loan facilities.”
He added that, more specifically, the average interest rate for external financing had risen by 1.99 basis points, resulting in a rate of 5.55 percent as of March 2023, compared to the preceding year’s 3.56 percent.
“Throughout the past year, the interest rate policies of the major Central Banks have been restrictive, with a series of interest rate increases,” Prime Minister Davis said. “These adjustments have been primarily motivated by the escalation of inflation, and the resulting upsurge in interest rates has had an impact on the Bahamas’ external borrowing costs.”
He added: “However, the cost of borrowing in the domestic market has been declining over the past quarters.
Looking at it in more detail, we can see that:
The average interest cost for domestic loanssubsided by 27 basis points to 4.62 percent at end of March 2023, from 4.89 percent in the previous year;
And the average interest cost for domestic bondssubsided by 3 basis points to 4.63 percent at the end of March 2023 from 4.66 percent in the previous year.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that those statistics affirmed the Government’s latest medium-term debt strategy, which aimed to shift its borrowing away from costly external commercial debt.
“Such debt has seen a sharp increase over the past five years, including recent interest rate hikes,” he said. “This strategic move will enable the government to once again rely predominantly on the domestic market to meet its financing requirements.”
Prime Minister Davis pointed out that, when considering the maturity of debt, or the average time it takes to repay the principal amount in the government’s debt portfolio, a longer maturity period led to a reduction in refinancing risk.
“In essence, prioritizing longer maturities is key to managing debt effectively,” he said. “And so another element of the government’s medium-term debt management strategy is the goal of prolonging the average maturity time of its debt.”
Prime Minister Davis said that, in the face of “unprecedented turbulence” in the global financial markets, the Government was able to maintain its average time to maturity.
“At end of March 2023, the average time to maturity has decreased slightly to 6.7 years, down from the previous 6.8 years in March 2022,” he said. “This variance is due solely to the external loan component, as the average time to maturity on internal debt has remained steady at 7.1 years.”
“This highlights the significance of maintaining a prudent approach to debt management, and aligning this administration’s practices with the government’s optimal debt strategy,” Prime Minister Davis added.
“It is imperative that we continue to exercise prudence in this area to ensure financial stability.”
#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, May 30, 2023 – The model of the Hawkbill Creek Act, the agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, is not working, said Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis during the opening of the 2023 Budget Debate on Wednesday, May 31 in the House of Assembly.
The island of Grand Bahama, he said, contributes 12 percent of the country’s GDP, however, there was a decline by 9 percent when compared to the previous year. Tourism, he said, increased in 2022 showing a growth in accommodation and food service.
“Unfortunately, the statistics show a prolonged decline in the Grand Bahamian economy. The evidence confirms the view of my government that the Hawksbill Creek economic model, which was meant to attract foreign direct investment, does not work.
“Furthermore, in our view, the government model of the Grand Bahama Port Authority must change, in order to realize the promise, growth and prosperity we all desire.
“Additionally, the Government of The Bahamas has serious concerns regarding the compliance of the GBPA and its related companies with the terms and conditions of the Hawksbill Creek Act, and its subsequent amendments.”
In the past, said the Prime Minister, administrations have attempted to address the issues however they appear to be “systemic and fundamental.” Decisive action will be taken, he continued, and a separate detailed announcement will be made at another time.
Prime Minister Davis mentioned that even though the GDP for several islands has experienced growth, Abaco and Grand Bahama have not done as well. Abaco, he said, saw a decline of 6 percent in 2022 with its contribution to the economy at 2.8 percent ranking the island as the third largest contributor.
“While there was a slight improvement in Abaco’s economy compared to 2019, it has yet to reach the levels seen before Hurricane Dorian. The decline in the economic activity is directly related to the slowdown in the real estate and construction sectors.”
He continued, “Declines in the real estate sector are directly as a result of a shift to higher intermediate consumption in 2022 from that of the previous two years. In terms of declines in construction, it should be noted that in 2020 and 2021, Abaco experienced significant recovery efforts in the form of debris removal, site preparation and building of damaged structures.
Such efforts bolstered the value added to the island’s GDP during those years. As those efforts wrap up, the industry saw a gradual decline as construction tempered to normal levels in 2022, resulting in a lower GDP.
Additionally, the Prime Minister said the Grand Bahama International Airport will be repaired, and a new healthcare facility will be built. Provisions have also been made for the continuation of an employment program for $4.7 million, along with the construction of a 50-meter swimming pool facility.
The House of Assembly has adjourned until Wednesday, June 7, when the debate will continue.