News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Published

10 years ago

January 10, 2015

COMMENTARY BY ELCOTT COLEBY
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES

Much of the Bahamas news in 2014 was driven by social media with hyped up and emotive presentation. On the governance front, there were a myriad of national issues that the Bahamas government tackled both legislatively and executively. Described by the government as doing the “heavy lifting,” Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie characterized the 2014 legislative agenda as arguably the most “reform driven” in recent history. This sentiment was also expressed by the Minister for National Security and leader of government business in the House, the Hon. Bernard J. Nottage. As the country continued to emerge from the protracted global recession and faced the inevitability of change, some very important and transformative decisions were made to facilitate the country’s transition through these changes that are a necessary part of growth and national development. Some decisions of governance, though necessary, were tough and unpopular but governance is not a popularity contest.

In 2014 The Bahamas Parliament passed tax reform with the passage of Value Added Tax (VAT) with a targeted 1st Jan 2015 implementation date; four constitutional amendment Bills centering around the theme of equality were tabled; the House passed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Bill; the House also passed the historic Gaming Bill with modernized the laws and regulations governing land based casino operations, placing land based casinos in The Bahamas on par with top casino operations in the world such as Macau and Las Vegas. Also, the Gaming Bill legalized web shop gaming for Bahamians for the first time in this country’s history. FATCA came into effect; the condominium bill was passed; the Environment Minister tabled the Petroleum Act and attendant regulations as our first step toward energy sector reform; both House chambers passed historic Stem Cell legislation and implemented a new Immigration Policy. The Bahamas government also implemented prison reform and established the Foreign Service both with Acts of parliament while the Prime Minister appointed and chaired a national taskforce that educated and prepared the country for the newest global health threat to confront us in 2014, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated its golden anniversary as a government ministry, an upgrade from the Tourism Promotion Board until 1964. Coincidentally, the country recorded its highest tourist arrival numbers in history, beating out 2013 arrivals of 6.2 million visitors. Leading the way in the resurgence of tourism was romance, religious and sports tourism. The Bahamas hosted the IAAF World Relays, the Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl, co-branded with NBA and NFL teams and launched the 16 weddings promotions to showcase the unique visitor experiences on 16 different islands. New airlift gateways from several Canadian and US cities in addition to the opening of new tourism field offices in the northeastern US seaboard, the Midwest and the west coast increased airlifts to islands such as San Salvador, Exuma, Elauthera, Bimini and Grand Bahama. Resort World Bimini with its casino and fast ferry service literally transformed the economic landscape of Bimini in 2014.

During this year of culture, The Bahamas beat a world record for most conch shells blown at one time at our 41st independence celebrations at historic Clifford Park. The Bahamas government announced and began preparations for Junkanoo Carnival 2015 and named 41 Cultural Warriors during 2014.

Dr. Rodney Smith was named President of the College of The Bahamas with the mandate to transition the country’s tertiary institution to university status by 2016 and we launched our National Development Plan at the College of The Bahamas, an important player in its crafting and shaping.

The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Resources Institute, or BAMSI, was established, received its first enrollment of students and reaped its first harvest of fruits from its commercial farm in 2014. BAMSI is a major policy thrust of the government to address the high food import bill that is in excess of one billion American dollars annually. The Prime Minister in his groundbreaking address cited the preparation of some 70,000 meals daily for the indigent as another compelling reason for government intervention to facilitate a paradigm shift in the access of affordable healthy food and bolstering the country’s level of food security.

The more than $120 million National Civil Aviation structural framework in The Bahamas made significant strides in 2014. The consultancies to determine the model options for the restructure of Civil Aviation Regulatory Oversight and Function and the provision of comprehensive, empirical data to effect evidence-based, decision-making were in the advanced stages. Additionally, enabling oversight legislation was passed in Parliament and a nationwide audit of all 28 government-owned airports was completed. The government also broke ground on a brand new multi-million dollar Radar tower that will usher in a new era in air space management, air traffic control and training in The Bahamas. By the end of 2014, this radar system was more than 85% complete.

The Bahamas, however, was not immune from and faced its share of challenges in 2014. The Prime Minister dismissed the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and the Minister of Financial Services resigned from the cabinet for personal reasons. It was the year Canine Distemper hit Nassau and Bahamian Rock Iguanas were smuggled out of the country from San Salvador. There was the National Security Agency (NSA) spying story where it was alleged that the NSA officials eavesdropped on the cell phone conversations of Bahamians. Also, the Bahamas government came to the aid of the ailing Bank of The Bahamas in a $100 million government bailout. The government continued to tackle the serious scourge of crime with 122 murders recorded in 2014. A compendium of crime bills, intensified saturation patrols in criminal hot spots, increased resources for the police, additional courts and an amendment to the Jury Act were some of the measures taken by the government to fight this scourge. To fight illegal poaching, illegal migration and human smuggling and other transnational crimes committed on the high seas, the $232 million asset acquisition called the “Sandy Bottom Project” materialized in 2014 with three of the nine defence force vessels turned over the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

On the 22nd of December 2014, a US federal court fined French energy giant Alstom more than $772 million for its involvement in an elaborate bribery scheme involving officials in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and The Bahamas. Court documents revealed that a government official received some $300,000 in exchange for a contract to supply the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) with slow speed diesel engines.

Bahamas News

EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US

Published

14 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Ribbon cutting

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.

The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.

She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.

She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.

“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”

The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary institution abroad to help build national capacity.

President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.

Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”

She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.

“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”

The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.

She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.

“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”

PHOTO CAPTION

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna

Header : Ribbon Cutting

The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.

Caribbean News

Positive Start to 2024/25 Academic Year at Several Schools

Published

15 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Kingston, September 14, 2024 – Officials of the Ministry of Education and Youth and school administrators are reporting a smooth start to the 2024/25 academic year, on Monday (September 2), at several institutions.

This, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which threatened to derail reopening at some schools.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, Dr. Michelle Pinnock, provided updates on various schools in those parishes.

She told JIS News that Bethel Primary School in Hopewell, Hanover, was undergoing clean-up efforts following the completion of construction work.

The Regional Director said grade-five and six students were present on Monday, with plans in place for full resumption on Tuesday (September 3).

Meanwhile, she advised that students of Kendal Primary School, also in Hanover, will be temporarily housed in two community church halls while the administration awaits the completion of a new building being constructed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

“Kendal Primary is getting a building from JSIF, which is basically a whole school; even before Hurricane Beryl, the arrangements were made,” Dr. Pinnock told JIS News.

Over at Barracks Road Primary School in Montego Bay, St. James, which sustained roof damage, among other challenges, arrangements were made to ensure the students’ safety and continuity of learning.

“The rains that came last week made us realise that we have some extensive damage to the membrane of the roof. So, we are staggering the children and, on Wednesday, we will be using Faith Temple Church as an external site. The church has an area very near to the school, and we are going to be hosting students there,” Dr Pinnock informed.

The Regional Director expressed satisfaction with the overall start of the academic year for schools under her office’s purview, noting that some institutions may need to adjust timetables to accommodate teacher availability.

She also highlighted ongoing training initiatives to facilitate independent student learning through Google classrooms.

Meanwhile, Principal of Siloah Primary School in St. Elizabeth, O’Neil Larmond, shared that there was a positive start to the academic year for his institution, citing active parental involvement and a full staff complement for Monday’s opening.

“With a student population of over 500, Siloah Primary is off to a great start. We had a member of the Anglican Church doing devotion for us this (Monday) morning and we [had] close to 200 parents in attendance also. So, after devotion we had a brief meeting with our parents. We [had] our full staff complement and we have water and electricity,” the Principal told JIS News.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary, Yashieka Grant, reported that the majority of public schools in the area successfully reopened, with only two exceptions.

Mrs. Grant, who acknowledged the impact of Hurricane Beryl, welcomed the successful resumption of classes at the institutions which reopened.

“We have 165 public schools in this Region, and all, except two of them, [were] open to students [on Monday]… so we are grateful for that,” she told JIS News.

Principal of Scotts Pass Primary and Infant School in Clarendon, Mark Powell, also reported a smooth start to operations at his institution, highlighting the importance of establishing classroom routines and building relationships with students from the onset of the academic year.

He told JIS News that, during Monday’s start, “teachers [were] laying down the ground rules, getting to know their students and familiarising them with procedures again”.

As schools navigate various challenges and adjustments in the early days of the new academic year, educators and administrators remain committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for students.

CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY

Bahamas News

Black Island Girl Relaunches with Expanded Features and Multimedia Focus

Published

16 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity

Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.

The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.

One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.

Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.

The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.

This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.

As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.

www.blackislandgirl.com