News Archives
Castrol Quote Of The Day: June 30th
Sat, Jun 30th 2012, 08:00 AM
"Regular car maintenance is key in getting the most out of the thousands spent on the average vehicle. Proper engine maintenance begins with Castrol!"
Tip brought to you by Bay Street Garage. Visit our listing page on BahamasLocal.com.
Graceful, hip and on pointe
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 04:35 PM
Scholarship opportunities for student-athletes
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 04:31 PM
Volleyball uniforms go missing outside Kendal Isaacs gym
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 04:18 PM
FNM Leader supports Montagu on the move!
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 12:52 PM
Delivering the promise of job creation
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 11:26 AM
The global economic downturn continues to take a toll on The Bahamas and the Bahamian government which is faced with enormous challenges. New investments have been minimal and insignificant to facilitate significant overall job creation in our country. The rising cost of energy, goods and services has forced the average Bahamian to face the reality of an unfavorable economy and economic climate characterized by high unemployment, underemployment and part-time work.
Consequently, the government's revenue continues to be negatively impacted resulting in consecutive budget deficits in recent fiscal years. In the midst of these challenges, Bahamians and The Bahamas face a job crisis, a housing crisis and a growing debt crisis individually and nationally.
The current administration led by Perry G. Christie campaigned on the ability to create jobs and relied upon its first term in office from 2002-2007 as a persuasive precedent to recreate the magic of what it claimed to have been 22,000 jobs created. However, the ability to repeat this performance depends heavily upon attracting both local and foreign direct investments (LFDIs) in a global market which due to economic hardship is plagued with limited capital and investor skepticism.
It seems prudent for the government to seek to attract new LFDIs in industries other than tourism and financial services which have suffered shocks due to the economic conditions in the United States and Europe. The importance of proper oversight and management of our economy is vital in these tough times, as any missteps or wrong turns in shaping economic, monetary and fiscal policies could spell disaster for the average Bahamian and investors alike.
Christie had indicated that some 40,000 jobs will have to be created. It is expected that very few of these jobs will be created in the civil service, where wages and benefit packages account for more than 40 percent of government expenditure. The central question, however, is who will create these jobs and is it the function of the government to do so?
Previous policies employed
During the height of the "Great Recession", the previous administration led by Hubert A. Ingraham embarked upon an aggressive capital expenditure project including a New Providence Road Improvement Project, resorting to fundamental principles of Keynesian economics. Keynesian economics, fashioned after theories of the noted English economist John Maynard Keynes, advocates deficit spending and asserts that fiscal and monetary programs can assist governments to stimulate economic activity and reduce unemployment.
Governments can take certain actions by increasing taxes, influencing monetary policy through interest rate reductions and government investment in infrastructure. In spite of this policy adopted by the former administration, the rate of unemployment continued to soar climaxing to 15.9 percent at the time of the Ingraham administration's exit from office.
In the final analysis, the reduction of the prime rate by 75 basis points reduced the burden of servicing government debt and provided minimal relief to some consumers. Further, the capital expenditure provided jobs primarily in the construction industry. However, the overall positive effect was not felt by the average Bahamian, particularly low-middle income earners.
The current administration must be cautious not to buy into the fallacy that government spending alone drives the economy and thereby creates jobs. The private sector is the engine that is predominantly responsible for creating jobs and is encouraged to do so through legislation and government policy that provide an environment for business to prosper. The con of Keynesianism is that investment in infrastructure (with very little expectation of short-term return) typically benefits one sector of society or restricted industries and not the entire economy overall.
The other reality is that if government spending is going to increase, it almost always means that borrowing will be necessary. Hence, the result of such borrowing will become a burden to the taxpayer who may pay through increased taxes. In certain instances, tax increases may prove burdensome to the private sector which in turn may resort to lay-offs to curb overhead expenditure. Consequently, the sole government policy of investment in infrastructure may prove to be counterproductive in this regard.
The results of a government job program are mixed and carry certain consequences as well. Studies have shown that in some instances where government job programs have been implemented to reduce unemployment, for every one job that was created, two jobs were lost. The net effect resulted in more government directed or initiated jobs created at the expense of fewer private sector jobs.
The way forward
For job creation to occur, the government and the private sector must work simultaneously in a collaborative manner. The pure market theory which lends itself to the notion that the market will correct itself through supply and demand cannot prevail in isolation. Socialist type theories that encourage excess government intervention through nationalization, continued funding of non-performing government corporations, welfare programs and regulatory and protectionist mechanisms that impede growth and investment will also not prevail in this economic climate. An equilibrium must be sought between the benefits of a market-based and free enterprise driven economy and reasonable government regulation and intervention.
Ultimately, the government for its part must seek to restrain its expenditure, reduce taxes cautiously and reasonably while providing concessions that will positively affect the average Bahamian taxpayer in the short run. Alternative energy solutions must be explored to reduce the burden upon business owners and policies should encourage the creation of venture capital funds and provide tax incentives to such investors. The existence of venture capital funds will in turn provide entrepreneurs with access to capital for expansion and spur job creation.
Reduction or restraint of expenditure must be balanced against revision and reform of compensation and benefits packages for the civil service including but not limited to pension schemes. It is widely known that successive administrations will not take the unpopular but important decision of streamlining the civil service for fear of political backlash at the polls. However, governments must revise and re-negotiate existing and new industrial agreements within the framework of current fiscal realities.
In the final analysis, sound economic management in the best interest of The Bahamas for generations to come must precede political agendas. The current administration must be willing to take the tough decisions that will benefit the country in the long run.
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments can be directed at commentary@komolafelaw.com.
Police should have issued early rape warning
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 11:24 AM
A rape victim who disagrees with police decision not to issue public warning
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 11:23 AM
Law abiding Bahamians are safe
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 11:22 AM
Cheering mediocrity
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 11:20 AM
Prisoner Escapes From Police
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 10:30 AM
According to sources a young 17-year-old Haitian born male escaped from police this morning around 3:30am. He was at the Princess Margaret Hospital and was guarded by two police men.
It is still unclear if he has been recaptured or if this was the same incident that happened at Montague at 4:30am this morning. The road heading east was blocked and closed for over 30 mins.
Castrol Quote Of The Day: June 29th
Fri, Jun 29th 2012, 08:00 AM
Jetblue Adds Atlantis, Paradise Island and The Cove Atlantis as Newest Trueblue Partners
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 04:32 PM
The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants New Appointment of Council Members
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 04:04 PM
Severe Weather Warning
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 03:10 PM
Seven Day Weather Forecast From 28th June- 4th July, 2012
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 02:48 PM
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK FRONTAL TROUGH ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE MOVING SOUTHEASTWARD AND IS TO REACH THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS EARLY FRIDAY. THE TROUGH WILL HELP TO SUSTAIN SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS THROUGH FRIDAY. MEANWHILE A WEAK RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL SETTLE ACROSS THE AREA SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. AFTERWHICH, A TROPICAL WAVE IS TO MOVE THROUGH THE ISLANDS TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
Thursday 28th – Variable Cloudiness and Warm today with pockets of Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms mainly across the Northwest and Central Bahamas; Maximum Temperature: 87°F. Partly Cloudy at night with Widely Scattered Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Minimum Temperature: 76°F. Winds W-NW, 10-15 knots in the Northwest and Central Bahamas; Seas 2-4 feet over open waters. Winds NE’E, 5-10 knots in the Southeast Bahamas; Seas 1-3 feet over open waters.
Friday 29th – Partly Cloudy and Warm during the day with Few Scattered Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Maximum Temperature: 89°F. Mostly Fair at night with Isolated Showers and a slight chance of Isolated Thunderstorms; Minimum Temperature 75°F. Winds SE-S,10 knots or less over ALL areas; Seas 2-4 feet over open waters.
Saturday 30th – Partly Sunny and Warm during the day with Isolated Showers and a slight chance of an Isolated Thunderstorm; Maximum Temperature 89°F. Mostly Fair at night with Isolated Showers; Maximum Temperature 75°F. Winds E-SE,10-15 knots over ALL areas; Seas 2-4 feet over open waters.
Sunday 1st – Partly Sunny and Warm during the day with Isolated Showers and Thunderstorms mainly across the Central and Southeast Bahamas; Maximum Temperature 89°F. Mostly Fair at night with a slight chance of Isolated Showers or Isolated Thunderstorms; Minimum Temperature 77ºF. Winds E-SE, 10-15 knots in the Northwest and Central Bahamas; Seas 2-4 feet over open waters. Winds E’LY 15 knots in the Southeast Bahamas; Seas 3-5 feet over open waters.
Monday 2nd – Partly Sunny and Warm during the day with Isolated Showers and Thunderstorms; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Partly Cloudy, and a bit Breezy in the Central and Southeast Bahamas at night, with Isolated Showers and a slight chance of a stray Thunderstorm; Minimum Temperature 77F. Winds E’LY, 10 knots or less in the Northwest Bahamas; Seas 1-3 feet over open waters. Winds E’LY 15 knots in the Central and Southeast Bahamas; Seas 3-5 feet over open waters.
Tuesday 3rd – Partly Sunny and Warm, but Breezy in the Central and Southeast Islands during the day with Brief Scattered Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Maximum Temperature 88°F. Partly Cloudy and a bit Breezy at night with Few Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Minimum Temperature 78°F. Winds E-SE, 10-15 knots in the Northwest Bahamas; Seas 2-4 feet over open waters. Winds E-SE, 15-20 knots in the Central and Southeast Bahamas; Seas 4-6 feet over open waters. Small craft caution in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
Wednesday 4th – A Mix of Sun and Clouds, Warm and Breezy during the day with occasional Scattered Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Maximum Temperature 88°F. Partly Cloudy at night with passing Scattered Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms; Minimum Temperature 78°F. Winds E’LY 15 knots in the Northwest Bahamas and E’LY 15-20 knots in the Central and Southeast Bahamas; Seas 3-5 feet in the Northwest Bahamas, and 4-6 feet in the Central and Southeast Bahamas. Small craft caution remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
Rocking the spirituality
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 12:48 PM
Time for the youth to come alive
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 12:46 PM
Anglican Chorale concert to aid restoration of St. Stephen's Anglican Church
Thu, Jun 28th 2012, 12:43 PM