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Save The Bays Youth Environment Ambassadors See Green Side of Heavy Industry

Published

9 years ago

January 29, 2015

Bahamas, 27 Jan 2015 – Some 45 young people in Grand Bahama in the past month witnessed the reality of what their older counterparts said for decades was possible – the greening of modern heavy industry.

The youngsters, participants in a popular bi-monthly program called Youth Environment Ambassadors sponsored by Save The Bays, got the educational double dose with on-site tours, lectures and classroom visits by executives from two of the island’s leading industrial suppliers – the Grand Bahama Shipyard and Grand Bahama Power Company.
“Grand Bahama is the heartbeat of industry in The Bahamas and, with the shipyard being the largest in the Western Hemisphere, it’s a real testing ground for how industry can serve the public’s needs without sacrificing the environment,” said Joe Darville Director of Education for the fast-growing environmental movement. “The presentations by both the Grand Bahama Shipyard and the Grand Bahama Power Company were lively, informative and interactive. But most importantly, they demonstrated how best practices can mitigate against any potentially negative impact on our health, well-being and on our environment, marine and terrestrial, even while operating in a massive industrial complex.”

While health and safety experts Nikita Mullings and Jensen Farquharson led the session from Grand Bahama Power, Grand Bahama Shipyard CEO Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch and Health, Safety, Environment and Security Manager Kendrick Knowles led the session that included a tour of what has been called “a celebrated example of industrial and environmental symbiosis.”

Darville had especially flattering words for the shipyard where he worked for eight years.
“It is always my joy and delight to tout and celebrate the care and diligence with which all work is carried out in The Yard in order to safeguard our unique environment. Indeed, it is a shining example to uphold for the youth we are training to be the informed, committed and enthusiastic leaders and stewards of our unique heritage now and for generations into the future,” said Darville.

The work of monitoring, meeting international standards and protecting the environment is ongoing for the shipyard, said Rotkirch.

“What is more, being an ISO-certified enterprise, we continuously look for ways to further reduce our environmental footprint, and monitor our performance, as our company grows and evolves,” he noted, calling the “young bright students a true joy to meet and interact with. There is no doubt that they will be the ones taking the responsibility for forming our greener future in the years to come. The importance of the message about the environmental challenges and possibilities cannot be underestimated.”

The Saturday sessions are so popular that when the YEA program announced its second year of the environmental leadership program more than twice as many junior high school students showed up as space allowed for. The education arm of Save The Bays is made possible by funding from the organization that is partnering with more than a dozen community-based groups and associations aimed at protecting the physical and cultural heritage of The Bahamas.

In addition to its educational efforts, Save The Bays is committed to passage of a Freedom of Information act, environmental protection act, accountability for oil pollution, and an end to unregulated development. With more than 17,200 Facebook friends and nearly 7,000 signatures on its petition, the association is the fastest-growing NGO in The Bahamas.

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Boat Theft Suspect Charged

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.

On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:

Theft of TCI boat Marauder
Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
Handling Stolen Goods
Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.

Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.

These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.

The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.

News

Road Traffic Operations report for Turks and Caicos

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.

These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.

Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.

He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”

Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.

Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”

Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.

The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.

News

Undocumented Man Charged with Gang and Firearm Offenses

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.

He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.

The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.

Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.

He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.

He was arraigned on the following charges: