Bahamas News

National Address on Hurricane Irma

Published

8 years ago

September 6, 2017

Deandrea Hamilton

#Bahamas, September 6, 2017 – Nassau –

Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis
Prime Minister
Commonwealth of The Bahamas

7:00 p.m., Tuesday, 5 September, 2017

Office of the Prime Minister
Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Center

Nassau, The Bahamas

Fellow Citizens and Residents: Good evening.
I report to you this evening that we are facing one of the potentially severest natural disasters in the modern history of The Bahamas. Hurricane Irma may be one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded! On its current path, Hurricane Irma, which is currently a dangerous Category Five storm, with sustained winds of approximately 185 mph, poses a dire threat to Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay and Ragged Island.

The wind speed, rain and expected storm surge make this a potentially catastrophic hurricane. Accordingly, we must act quickly to protect lives, with a particular emphasis on the residents of the southern Bahamas, who are at the greatest risk. I note that Irma may also bring severe weather to the Central Bahamas. Leave has been suspended for members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Because of the potentially catastrophic effect and the potential loss of life resulting from Hurricane Irma, and after consultation with Cabinet colleagues, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Met Office — the Government has taken the decision to institute an emergency evacuation to New Providence for the residents of MICAL and Ragged Island.

The emergency evacuation will be begin early tomorrow morning and will be conducted by aircraft. To underscore the threat posed by Hurricane Irma, I note that this is the largest such evacuation in the history of the country. We are advising in the strongest possible terms that the residents of MICAL and Ragged Island comply with the evacuation from their respective islands.

Let me be very clear: Those who refuse to evacuate, place themselves in potentially great danger from this monster hurricane, including from dangerously strong and high storm surges, which is one of the greatest threats from a hurricane. Emergency personnel and assistance will be unavailable during the immediate impact of the hurricane for those in MICAL and Ragged Island who do not evacuate. Furthermore, rescue and recovery may take an extended period of time for those who did not evacuate.

Let me again make the strongest plea possible to the residents of MICAL and Ragged Island to evacuate their respective areas. Do not put your life and those of your loved ones at unnecessary risk. Do not be foolish and try to brave out this monster storm. The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life or serious physical harm. With Hurricane Katrina in the United States and Hurricane Matthew last year, there were those who refused to evacuate. As a result some people lost their lives in the U.S. Here at home, many lived through terror as their homes flooded and they feared for their lives and that of their loved ones, because they refused to evacuate.

As I stated at the NEMA press conference yesterday: “Life is precious. We must make every effort to preserve and protect life, including the elderly, the indigent and other vulnerable individuals.”

The evacuation from the Southern Bahamas will be completed by tomorrow evening. Those who agree to evacuate should secure and bring identification with them, including passports, NIB cards and voters cards, as well as medication, clothing and toiletries adequate for several days.
We are asking those who agree to evacuate, to contact family members, friends and church fellowships to accommodate them during their stay in New Providence. For those who do not have such accommodations, the Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium will be used as a major shelter for those evacuated from MICAL and Ragged Island.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese has also generously agreed to the use of Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road as a major shelter. These centers will be adequately staffed by various personnel, and will be secured by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Elective and non-emergency surgeries at the Princess Margaret Hospital will be cancelled to ensure that there is the necessary medical personnel to help staff various shelters. The impending evacuation is part of the Government’s disaster preparedness and management plan. We are working to ensure that the evacuations are completed as efficiently and as orderly as possible given the circumstances at hand and the possibility of the hurricane taking a different path than currently forecast.

We are receiving constant updates on the location and the potential impact of Hurricane Irma. We are also closely monitoring Tropical Storm Jose, which may develop into a hurricane by Friday. As I stated yesterday:

“Bahamians and residents throughout the country need to monitor the location and proximity of Irma to the island or cay on which they live … “Maritime traffic, fishermen and boaters should take all necessary precautions as Hurricane Irma approaches The Bahamas.”

Given the dynamic nature of a hurricane, all Bahamians, throughout our archipelago, should closely monitor the track of Hurricane Irma.
Fellow Bahamians and Residents: This is a time for national unity. In this spirit, I have briefed the Leader of the Opposition on Hurricane Irma.
I have also invited the Leader of the Opposition to join me at the Office of the Prime Minister during the preparation for Hurricane Irma, and to offer his advice as the country faces the threat posed by this monster hurricane, including during the rescue and recovery stages after the storm passes.

Before I close, let me extend the prayers, best wishes and solidarity of the Bahamian people to our neighbours and Caricom partners in the Northern Caribbean who will shortly feel the impact of Hurricane Irma. In the days ahead, I will call on the goodwill and generosity of Bahamians, at home and abroad, and residents, to offer whatever they can in terms of volunteerism, monetary and other resources to help those affected by Hurricane Irma. I make a special plea to the media to offer full and informed coverage to keep Bahamians and residents abreast of the impact of the hurricane.

I note once again that “Bahamians and residents should avoid relying on sources of information which may be questionable or unreliable, especially potentially fake information circulated through social media.”

Please do not resend social media posts, which appear false or questionable. Let us avoid as much gossip and panic as possible. I again thank the many departments, agencies, public officials, churches, NGOs and civil society partners involved in preparing for Hurricane Irma. Let us continue to move forward with resolve and courage. May God continue to guide and strengthen us with the spirit of resilience and community in the hours, days and months ahead, as we work together in the spirit of love and unity.

Thank you and good evening.

Press Release: Hon. Hubert Minnis

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees

Published

1 month ago

December 18, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

Bahamas News

The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival

Published

1 month ago

December 18, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival

Published

1 month ago

December 18, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.