Bahamas News
RBDF Commended for Outstanding Performance at Annual Church Service
Bahamas, March 28, 2017 – Nassau – Every year, in the month of March, the Officers, Senior Rates and Junior Enlisted of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) attend a local church regaled in their brightest and best uniforms, to highlight their achievements during the past year, remember those who would have died in the line of duty, and thank God for their safekeeping, and to pray for continued blessings for the new year.
This year, their 37th anniversary service was held at the Church of God of Prophecy Tabernacle on East Street where Bishop Hulan Hanna is the Senior Pastor. The service was attended by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, the Minister of National Security, the Honorable Dr. Bernard Nottage, Minister of State Senator the Honorable Keith Bell, President of the Court of Appeal, Dame Anita Allen, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from various security forces.
Under the theme Forward, Upward, Onward Together in Guarding Our Heritage, officers and marines in attendance were commended by the Minister Nottage for their outstanding performance since 2012. This period saw 500 marines recruited, 400 officers and marines undergoing professional and military courses, the capture of 13 Dominican vessels and the confiscation of almost 200,000 poumds of fisheries products and a significant reduction in Dominican poachers; the introduction of South Beach coastal patrols with corresponding crime reduction in the area under Operation Southern Shores; and the signing of the Sandy Bottom Project for the acquisition of 9 patrol craft and modernization of port facilities.
The achievements of the Defence Force during the previous year (2016) were also highlighted. These included joint operations with Police in a national fight against crime resulting in a noted reduction in serious crime; firefighting, patrols and medical assistance provided by Defence Force during the city dump fire and evacuation of Jubilee Gardens; disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew; introduction of K-9 Unit; the introduction of a pilot drone unit; the continued capture and arrest of Dominican poachers; the implementation of the Defence Force’s ‘Operation Transformation’ for the efficient management, development and welfare of its human capital inclusive of an accredited Maritime Defence Institute and a Naval Infantry School; and the continued unfolding of the Defence Force’s ‘Operation Regeneration’ for the development of the nation’s youth under the Defence Force’s Rangers Program which incorporates over 30 high schools and saw the addition of schools in the Berry Islands and North Andros in 2017; and the acquisition of 9 patrol craft, and the ongoing development of bases and port facilities at Coral Harbour, Inagua and Ragged Island.
Minister Nottage also encouraged members of the Defence Force to keep up the good work and take care of themselves in the process. And he reminded them that they had a favorable reputation in the eyes of the public which they should seek to uphold.
Bishop Hulan Hanna, who delivered the sermon at the Annual Church Service, reminded Defence Force members, as well as representatives from the Royal Bahamas Polie Force, Bahamas Immigration, Customs and the Department of Correctional Services of the vital service they provide, and he encouraged them to always perform at their best while refusing to associate with non-productive colleagues. Bishop Hanna also reminded those in attendance that real success in national security affairs requires a commitment to Christ as a changed heart produces a changed life.
Commander Defence Force (Acting), Tellis Bethel lauded the event as a success that helps to set a positive tone for the incoming year and expressed his appreciation of the leadership and members of other security forces sharing in this annual service. Captain Bethel was appointed Deputy Commander Defence Force in January 2012 under Commodore Roderick Bowe’s leadership, and later Commander Defence Force (Acting) since March 2015 upon Commodore Bowe’s official retirement.
The Defence Force anniversary activities continues this month with the 5th Commander Defence Force Regatta that is slated for the March 31 – April 2, 2017, and a fun, run, walk slated for early next month.
(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit their website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and view their Youtube channel).
#RBDF
Bahamas News
Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.
His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.
“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”
She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.
Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.
“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”
She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.
The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”
She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.
His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.
He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.
His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.
“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement
our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”
He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”
He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.
His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.
He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”
PHOTO CAPTION
A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim to increase food security for The Bahamas.
The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,
Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.
“I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year,” he said.
“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”
Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate. Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,” she said.
“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”
Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.
“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
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