This is exactly what happens when you have a career politician involved who caters to a special interest group. I had heard under previous FNM governments there were requests submitted from the same special interest groups to lease lucrative portions of the seabeds, but it was rejected as this belongs to all Bahamians not just a select few.

This is just one example how a different leader of the same party (and his cronies) can make Bahamians lives so difficult.

I agree with supporting an independent in the next election. I am a long time FNM supporter but in no way can I support the FNM as is...sadly. I listened to the talk shows speaking to the fact that many of these persons are career politicians and in the real world they cannot make it. Pintard is one of these career politicians. Many of them have been caught up in shady situations , supporting special interests, all speaking to their lack of integrity. The Bahamas is becoming a failed state and things must change.

And yet they are renting engines to reduce the amount of outages.....smt!

There are already foreign police, teachers, doctors, nurses, constructions workers...even the Head of Prosecution at the AG's office I believe is foreign. All countries include expats in driving an economy. This law is outside all covenants The Bahamas has signed onto with the international community, and not in alignment with the Economic Recovery Committee's recommendations. This is simply driven off an agenda with no merit. You can't have it both ways...you cannot be cherry picking with an immigration policy and have your hand out asking for loans to the international community.

Given the fishing industry has the lowest percentage of legal expat participation as compared to other industries in the country, like construction or the hotels for example. Of the already low percentage an even smaller amount are originally from the DR. I don’t understand the reasoning by the National Fisheries Association or quite frankly the Government. It really does appear targeted and like a few have something to gain from the passing of this law. The amount of expat fishermen working legally could not create the issues they are accusing them of as they simply are too small in number. This appears to be an attempt at bending the level of business in favour of those represented by The National Fisheries Association.

Mr. Ingraham realizes the implications of this. Not only is this not inline with the constitution but it contradicts the conventions The Bahamas has signed onto. Ironically, it in contrast to the Economic Recovery Committee recommendations as well appointed by Minnis. It directly attacks Bahamian owned business who are now restricted on who they can hire, combined with also being discriminatory to Bahamian women and children. The sad part is it impacts the poorer women in our community, thus seemingly justified in overlooking. This short sighted stance will absolutely come back to haunt the FNM, only a matter of time given their continued dependence on the international community. I believe Mr. Ingraham recognizes this and is formally distancing himself (along with Turnquest/Sands) from this government's position as it far more serious (with impending consequences to the country), than what is being noted in the local press. You cannot continue to victimize and marginalize persons while also having your hand out asking for support from the international community. Smart move Mr. Ingraham.

Are they not drilling up in the Bahamian fishing grounds..where the large Bahamian commercial fishing boats usually go? Makes you wonder if this new Fisheries Bill that was passed ironically today...same day drilling begins.... actually has another agenda as it certainly is not in the best interest or in support of growing the fishing industry. Wonder if this is why it was jammed through parliament and the senate so quickly.

This is just incredible the amount of money being borrowed for a company that has a customer base of what, in and around 150,000 customers when everyone is paying their bills. This purchase of this new engine I am sure is coming with "finders fee" for those involved. I doubt this bond will be well received...if placed properly you need signed financials and the country is at junk status. I am also unsure how a board that I heard is not properly ratified can be entering into these agreements on behalf of the Bahamian people. No strategy in place, just borrowing. #freedomofinformationact #kickbacks

I find the timing of this very odd. I heard that one of the seafood exporters has been bought out by Chinese investors. I hope the Chinese are not looking at entering the fishing industry even more as commercial fishing boats must be 100 percent Bahamian owned. Timing seems bizarre that the Government tabled a bill that is banning present "Bahamian born" owners from hiring expats but now offering citizenship to those who invest. If the Chinese were to enter the commercial fishing industry with fishing boats...it would be game over. They come with economic power that would sink all local fishermen..they just would not be able to compete. Makes me wonder who getting paid off now.....

Are you talking about illegal boats in Bahamian waters..if so they should be dealt with accordingly. Absolutely.

Throwing accusations like is noted in this article from the NFA, without proof, is nothing more than an unsophisticated way of bullying and an attempt to gas light threw propaganda. It in no way moves the discussion forward in a productive manner. The rhetoric really needs to evolve...this is about growing an industry to employ as many Bahamians as possible. These are desperate times and everyone needs to work together. Smt!