Fuel surcharge is like a "backstop" for BEC. Take away fuel charge and restructure the Corp and force the Corp to adhere to proper business practices. This isn't even mentioned in the sale of BEC. Will this new company be allowed to keep fuel surcharge? And why isn't the Corp not hedging against fuel prices? Is it because FOCOL with its board of political croonies has locked the Corp into a rigid fuel contract to the tune of some $280 million? We worrying about employees perceived benefits and salaries and a white elephant sitting in the room that no one wants to talk about.

The only people really complaining about VAT is the merchant class because for once in their criminal like career of gouging the Bahamian people they will have to be accountable. They have a problem with anything if they have to honestly do some work besides crookery.

All of us know of the cautious nature of the PM. Do you really expect to stick a microphone in his face and to have him blurt out something. Cmon only Leslie Miller is a press whore.

In retrospect I think that law needs to be changed. How can someone take back what I have already contributed to. NIB is an insurance. When you of sick it doesn't pay your salary it is designed to be a supplement to your salary. Its true intent ( that's why it is contributory) is that in a case where an employee is incapacitated the extra funds would help with things such as medicine, doctor visit etc. This is an contributed insurance. No one giving you anything, this is what you already contributed to. BEC is in the state it isin because it doesn't want to renegotiate its fuel bill with FOCOL, who has more than its share of political croonies on its board. One thing I does listen carefully what people say. The Chairman himself on a talk show said that "employees benefits account for about 1 million dollars"..... so what is accounting for the other $280 mill + losses. You watching the mouse but obviously there is an elephant in the room no one wants to talk about. All this is just a smokescreen Mr. Miller and Mr. Greene trying to protect their jobs by running on with this in front of potential investors. Get on with the privatisation and stop all those clattering empty noise. So we can stop this political interference in this corporation and curtail some of these over ambitious wanna be politicians, union leaders.

One of the beautiful thing about living in one of the oldest democracy in the western hemisphere. I may not agree with them but I agree with their right to protest. We always worrying about what tourists will say newsflash they does protest where they from and as long as it is somewhat peaceful then it is great for our democracy. They need to teach some of yall children how to have a backbone cause they sure aint getting good examples from yinna.

Typical, reward offenders for bad behavior. Good job Minister keep up the bad work!

I don't know why they don't tell the truth. The reason they want to sell it in its entirety is because no one wants to absorb the astronomical losses that occurs to run the Family Islands. Miles and miles of lines and equipment worth millions to collect a few cents on the dollar. And people don't be fool renewable energy is not designed to be cheap it is designed to leave a less of a carbon footprint. Renewable or alternate energy should first be tried out in the Family Island where the interruptions have minimial effect along the energy grid which leave more room for experimentation and perfection. From the former government made plans to electrify the FI without first reasearching the most cost effective way to do it BEC have occured huge losses . Don't get me wrong they need it just like everyone else but due dilligence should have been observed and not the desire to maintain a voting block. They say they aint doing a BTC but besides the Chairman running of his mouth and a bunch of companies selling pipe dreams have anyone heard or seen a scientific energy audit ? No talks of conservation of energy or ways to encourage it.We as consumers also have a responsibility. Yeah we paying for it but that doesn't mean we can't conserve it. After all energy production depends on resources that belong to the Almighty. It doesn't matter how you restructure it or if Asians claim they could produce it cheaper they more we produce they more we consume putting us right back to square one. Short term relief still long term problem. There must be a balanced and pratical approach and not to rush into things. A practice to common here in the Bahamas. Interestingly enough I heard a political figure tout the cost effectiveness of coal fired plants. Yeah you produce it cheaper but there is an immediate and heavy toll to pay on the environment. It goes to show to what extent these politicians would go because they simply are ignorant to certain things and only like to showboat. Lawyers know the law very few know or take the time to find out about other arenas of governance which they are responsible for. They say it is not going to be another BTC for what is being seen on the surface it sure looks so. No public consultation, secrets deals .Nothing in the selling of a public asset should be confidential unless national security is threatened. The only difference if this approach continues is who private pockets will be lined with monies from the public purse.

All praises due.

The Checker's/Rally's food chain in US has the same concept so what so unique.

I always thought drugs was our biggest problem in our country but I have come to the conclusion that most of our social ills stem from one thing corruption. Drugs would have never had such a major impact in our country if in the 80's corruption wasn't the order of the day for the then government.The "back door" system and "tipping" is nothing other than the fuel of corruption ,bribery plain and simple.Our legal system where files go "missing" ( a common occurrence I understand) is one of the reason so many criminals are still on our streets. Illegal immigrants don't need to use "voodoo" to evade law enforcement and land down in South Beach. All they need is a cellphone and one or two corrupt law enforcement officials to know when and where to land . Work permits being certified and issued through corrupt sponsors and government officials. Police taking bribes to make traffic tickets and God knows what other offences disappear. Politicians are the biggest purveyors of corruption. Monies what could be allocated for social programmes going to programmes to further enrich themselves and their cronies. Jobs being given for sexual favours. Teachers molesting our students and it being covered up.Now it appears this family is feeling the long rotted arm of corruption. It is time for us to make a conscious effort to stamp out corruption from every aspect of our society. Time to stop saying "well it is what it is" and start saying " it don't suppose to be like this" and take the necessary action to root out this poisonous tree called corruption which has plagued this country from the time Christopher Columbus "discovered" these isles and set foot on these shores. I would suggest the family use the social media and launch an organised techno- protest movement and do not rest until the truth has been found. And where are his fellow clergymen or this isn't glamorous enough for them to form a "Coalition". Enough is enough.

This isn't as far fetch as it sounds. Silica which is sand based is a very important chemical compound. The focuses shouldn't be on beaches but for a more industrial application of our sand. I agree with research being done but with a more scientific approach.